Bulls Administer Dose Of Cold Reality To Magic

The Magic vs. Michael show turned into just another demonstration of Chicago’s dominance.

After his return from a 4-1/2-year retirement, Magic Johnson thought his second game - and one against his good friend and rival - would provide a useful measure of how far he and the Los Angeles Lakers had to progress.

What the Lakers learned was this: They have a long way to go before they can play with the Bulls, who won their 18th straight by beating Los Angeles 99-84 Friday night.

“They’re all they’re built up to be and more,” Johnson said. “They really are clicking on all cylinders and playing very well.”

Scottie Pippen had 30 points and Dennis Rodman a season-high 23 rebounds, 17 on the defensive glass. Michael Jordan chipped in 17 points and Rodman’s defense kept Johnson from performing any miracles, rendering the much-anticipated matchup a mere sideshow.

The excitement surrounding Johnson and Jordan’s first appearance together in the Forum since 1992 converged to turn celebrities and regular folk alike into starstruck fans. Actor Charlie Sheen spent much of the game snapping photographs from his courtside seat.

But the Bulls, who shot 55 percent, rang up a 20-point lead early in the third quarter and cruised thereafter, setting a franchise record with their ninth consecutive road victory.

The reason for all the spectacle was supposed to be Johnson’s matchup with Jordan, their first NBA meeting since Game 5 of the 1992 Finals at the Forum. But the two never guarded each other, and Johnson, whose 19 points and near triple-double in his debut Tuesday brought back memories of his glory days with the Lakers, looked old and out of step most of the night.

“I didn’t have as much fun,” Johnson said, “but give them a lot of credit.”

He finished with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting, but he had just three assists and was frustrated all night by Rodman’s physical play, which landed him on the floor several times.

Johnson’s struggles had a familiar look for Jordan, who went through a similar experience when he ended a 17-month retirement last March.

“That’s something that takes time,” Jordan said. “It took me a little while to get back in the game, and it’s going to take him the same amount of time.”

The Lakers, who shot 46 percent, needed more help than Johnson could have given them. A 13-point second quarter had them down by 13 points at halftime, and when the Bulls opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run, the score was 65-43 with 8:20 left in the period.Cedric Ceballos led the Lakers with 23 points and Elden Campbell added 15. Nick Van Exel, averaging more than 15, was held to just nine.

The Bulls, now 41-3, were coming off a 20-point win at Sacramento the previous night.

Among the famous turning out was Jack Nicholson, a Lakers season ticketholder, who flew in from a movie location in Florida just to watch the game from his courtside seat. Actors John Cusack, Phil Hartman, Rob Lowe and Denzel Washington, as well as comedian Paula Poundstone, rapper L.L. Cool J and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis were also in attendance.

Demand for tickets drove prices over $1,500 for choice seats, and Forum vendors were limiting program sales to one per person.

Chicago 99, L.A. Lakers 84

Chicago (99) - Rodman 5-7 0-0 10, Pippen 12-21 1-2 30, Wennington 5-7 1-2 11, Jordan 8-17 1-1 17, Harper 3-8 0-0 6, Edwards 6-9 0-2 12, Kerr 4-7 0-0 9, Buechler 0-2 0-0 0, Simpkins 0-0 0-2 0, Brown 1-2 0-0 2, Caffey 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 45-82 3-9 99.

L.A. Lakers (84) - Campbell 6-11 3-4 15, Ceballos 9-14 2-2 23, Divac 1-5 0-0 2, Jones 4-8 1-1 10, Van Exel 4-8 0-0 9, Johnson 6-13 1-2 15, Lynch 0-2 0-0 0, Peeler 2-8 0-0 4, Blount 2-3 2-2 6, Threatt 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-73 9-11 84.

Chicago 28 26 26 19 - 99

L.A. Lakers 28 13 18 25 - 84

3-Point goals-Chicago 6-15 (Pippen 5-8, Kerr 1-2, Rodman 0-1, Harper 0-2, Buechler 0-2), Los Angeles 7-15 (Ceballos 3-5, Johnson 2-3, Van Exel 1-2, Jones 1-3, Peeler 0-2). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Chicago 50 (Rodman 23), Los Angeles 34 (Campbell 11). Assists-Chicago 29 (Jordan 7), Los Angeles 26 (Van Exel 11). Total fouls-Chicago 19, Los Angeles 12. Technical-Divac. A-17,505 (17,505).