Jordan, Pippen Subdue Heat

NBA playoffs

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen needed no help from the referees and little assistance from their teammates to put the Chicago Bulls within one victory of another trip to the NBA Finals.

After playing so poorly in Game 2 that they gave themselves derisive nicknames, Jordan and Pippen repeatedly embarrassed the Miami Heat and carried the Bulls to a 98-74 victory Saturday.

Chicago leads the Eastern Conference finals 3-0 and can advance to the league championship series for the fifth time in seven years by winning Monday. No team has ever blown a three-game playoff advantage.

“We controlled everything from the opening tip,” said Jordan, who scored 34 points in 36 minutes. ‘Offensively, we were able to get what we wanted. Defensively, we were able to take them out of what they wanted to do.”

Heat coach Pat Riley complained Friday that Jordan gets favorable treatment from the referees - an age-old complaint for opponents of the nine-time NBA scoring leader. Jordan had 16 free throws in Game 2.

“I just played my game,” Jordan said. “I wasn’t worried about his attempt to manipulate the referees.”

Of Riley, a marginal player in the 1960s and ‘70, Jordan said: “I wish I could have played against him. I probably would have gotten 100 points.”

There was no chance of that Saturday, but Jordan did reach 20 midway through the second quarter. And he needed only one free throw to do it, going 9 of 12 from the field as the Bulls took a 36-23 lead.

Pippen, who finished with 21 points, also was outstanding. He and Jordan outscored the entire Miami team through three quarters, 51-49.

This series, Jordan and Pippen have scored 162 of the Bulls’ 257 points - 63 percent.

The Heat matched the NBA playoff record for fewest field goals in a game with 21, shot 38 percent and committed 32 turnovers.

Bulls 98, Heat 74

Chicago (98) - Pippen 8-16 5-6 21, Rodman 0-2 3-4 3, Longley 0-2 0-0 0, Harper 1-4 3-3 5, Jordan 14-25 5-5 34, Brown 4-10 1-3 9, Williams 3-4 0-0 6, Kukoc 2-5 5-6 9, Kerr 0-5 3-3 3, Buechler 3-5 0-0 6, Caffey 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 35-78 27-32 98.

Miami (74) - Brown 2-7 1-4 5, Mashburn 2-7 0-2 5, Mourning 1-4 10-12 12, Hardaway 2-9 2-2 6, Lenard 4-7 3-4 14, Askins 1-2 0-0 2, Majerle 1-2 3-5 5, Austin 2-4 5-6 9, Crotty 1-2 2-2 4, Anderson 2-6 2-2 6, Strickland 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 21-55 28-39 74.

Chicago 19 28 25 26 - 98

Miami 15 19 15 25 - 74

3-Point goals-Chicago 1-13 (Jordan 1-2, Harper 0-1, Kukoc 0-1, Kerr 0-1, Rodman 0-2, Buechler 0-2, Pippen 0-4), Miami 4-17 (Lenard 3-5, Mashburn 1-5, Askins 0-1, Majerle 0-1, Austin 0-1, Hardaway 0-4). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Chicago 46 (Rodman 9), Miami 47 (Mourning 9). Assists-Chicago 16 (Kukoc 6), Miami 14 (Crotty 5). Total fouls-Chicago 28, Miami 28. Technicals-Rodman, Majerle, Crotty. Flagrant fouls-Rodman, Williams, Brown. A-14,720 (15,200).