NBA Playoffs : Jordan Gets 39 Points and Help From Pippen

Michael Jordan, in his most important game as a professional, proved to be a mere mortal Sunday at Chicago. Fortunately, for the Bulls, their fabulous star had help.

Mainly, it came from rookie Scottie Pippen. Jordan had 39 points, including 8 in the stretch, but it was Pippen who made the difference as the Bulls rallied for a 107-101 victory over Cleveland.

For the first time in Jordan’s fantastic career, the Bulls made it to the second round of the playoffs where they will play Detroit in a best-of-seven series beginning Tuesday night at Pontiac, Mich. In three previous playoffs with Jordan, the Bulls went out early, not even getting to a fifth game.

The 6-7 Pippen, told just moments before tipoff of the final game of the best-of-five series that he was in the starting lineup, scored 24 points and made the big plays that beat the young, talented Cavaliers.

While Jordan was not playing vintage Jordan, Pippen made Bulls Coach Doug Collins seem a genius. Jordan made seven turnovers, including three in a row in the third quarter, but Pippen was calm and cool.

Pippen keyed a 10-1 spurt late in the third quarter. He scored four consecutive points to give the Bulls an 80-77 lead while Jordan was getting a rest. Before fouling out in the closing minutes, Pippen scored eight more points in the fourth quarter to keep the Bulls in front.

In the closing minutes, the Bulls did what comes naturally. They turned to Jordan, who set a five-game scoring record with 226 points, and he scored their last 6 points.

Although the Cavaliers have four starters with only two years of pro experience and are playing in the playoffs for the first time, they had the poise early and zoomed to a 32-18 lead in the first quarter.

Jordan, who had only four points in the first quarter, and Pippen settled the Bulls down. Later, Charles Oakley asserted himself on the boards (20 rebounds) and Dave Corzine made some key baskets. Surprisingly, it was a team effort, not Air Jordan, that won for the Bulls.

On the other hand, while Mark Price was sensational, getting 25 points and 7 assists, the other Cavaliers, especially 7-0 Brad Daugherty, succumbed to the pressure in the second half.

Daugherty was only 5 for 15 shooting and had 7 of his 10 rebounds in the first half.

Detroit 99, Washington 78--A stout defense that stifled the Malones, Moses and Jeff, at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., enabled the Pistons to win the decisive fifth playoff game and advance to the second round.

As a team, the Bullets shot a miserable 30.6% from the field. Moses was just 2 for 10, and Jeff was even worse (1 for 12).

In winning the series, 3-2, the Pistons, like the Bulls, their opponent in the second round, won all three home games. Only Boston, among the teams in the East, won a road game in the playoffs.

Joe Dumars led the Pistons’ attack with 20 points, but it was Dennis Rodman who broke the game open in the fourth quarter by sinking all five shots he took. After each basket, Rodman ran down the court shaking his fist and arousing a crowd of 18,403.

Atlanta 121, Milwaukee 111--Dominique Wilkins and Randy Wittman keyed a powerful offense at Atlanta and the Hawks earned the doubtful honor of facing the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

Wilkins scored 33 points and Wittman a season-high 29 as the Hawks broke the game open in the third quarter. Wittman was 7 for 7 in the second half.

The Hawks were the third team in the East that needed the homecourt advantage to win the best-of-five series. In the East, the home teams were 18-1 in the first round.

The Hawks led by 11 at halftime and built the margin to 20 in the third quarter.