Magic Wary Of Jordan Orlando Expects Bulls Star Won’t Bomb Twice In A Row
The Orlando Magic aren’t counting on Michael being err Jordan again.
“Mike’s a veteran, the world’s greatest player,” Shaquille O’Neal said, predicting Chicago’s superstar will rebound from a subpar performance in the opening game of the Bulls-Magic NBA playoff series.
Jordan was held to 19 points on 8-for-22 shooting and failed to take care of the ball down the stretch. Jordan had two turnovers and passed up a potential game-winning shot that cost the Bulls their chance of stealing Game 1 on the road.
The grateful Magic rubbed their eyes in disbelief, then started getting ready for Game 2.
“I guarantee you Mike won’t be off Wednesday,” O’Neal said. “I’ve never seen him off two nights in a row, so I’m sure he’s going to come in smoking. We just have to stay in front of him and try to contain him.”
Nick Anderson did that very well in Sunday’s 94-91 Magic victory. And when he fell behind Jordan, he did a good job of catching up to his long-time friend.
Anderson, who often works out with Jordan between seasons, sneaked up behind the Bulls guard for a crucial steal that set up the Magic’s go-ahead basket in the closing seconds. He also scored 20 points.
“I was amazed,” Anderson said. “Michael put it right out there in front of me. The crowd was so loud when he got around me that you could see the other guys on his team yelling, ‘watch out behind you.’ He looked over his left shoulder, but I was on the other side.”
Jordan said he passed up a jumper to try to get the ball to Scottie Pippen on the baseline because he thought his teammate had an even better shot. He shouldered responsibility for the mistakes and acknowledged Anderson’s effort.
“He’s a heck of a competitor,” Jordan said. “I knew he’d be focused … “
Although he averaged 15.8 points and usually is assigned to defend the opposition’s top-scoring guard, Anderson’s contribution is often overlooked.
O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway command much of the spotlight. What’s left shines on Horace Grant. The lack of attention doesn’t bother the sixth-year pro, who was the first college player drafted by Orlando in its inaugural season.
“I don’t get a lot of recognition on this team because of Horace, Shaq and Penny,” Anderson said, “but that makes me that much more determined to let people know that if you forget about me, I have to make you pay. And I’ll try to make you pay in the biggest way.”
However, Anderson was careful not to say anything that might rile Jordan or the rest of the Bulls.
“Hey, don’t get me to lie,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’ll hold him under 20 every game. I respect Michael to the utmost. But I don’t fear him.”
The Bulls won 10 fewer games than the Magic during the regular season, but went 13-4 down the stretch after Jordan ended his retirement.
In two games against Orlando since his return, though, Jordan has gone 15-for-45 from the field and the Magic won both times, including a 106-99 victory at Chicago on March 24. Neither team expects that trend to continue.
Chicago likes its chances in Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal. The Bulls not only had a chance to win the opener, but were able to give themselves the opportunity despite getting poor performances from Jordan and Pippen, who had seven points on 2-for-11 shooting.
“I’m sure over the course of 600 or 700 games we have seen a lot of times when things didn’t always work out right,” Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. “But there are times when everyone has a bad night.”