Jordan, Pippen Lead Bulls Over Bucks, 111-97

Michael Jordan scored 38 points, Scottie Pippen had a triple-double and the Chicago Bulls used a 13-2 fourth-quarter run to defeat Milwaukee, 111-97, Friday night in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

Although the Bulls grabbed the lead for good midway through the second quarter, the Bucks trailed only 83-80 early in the fourth period before Chicago took control.

Jordan converted a three-point play to start the decisive 13-2 run, and Ed Nealy and Stacy King added three points each as the Bulls pulled away to a 96-82 advantage with 6:31 left.

Pippen finished with 17 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for Chicago, and Horace Grant scored 19 points for the Bulls.

Ricky Pierce led the Bucks with 28 points and Alvin Robertson scored 22.

There were eight lead changes and four ties in the first quarter, with the Bulls holding the biggest margin at 15-10. The period ended with Milwaukee holding a 27-26 advantage.

There were seven more lead changes early in the second quarter before Grant broke a 36-36 tie to put the Bulls ahead to stay.

The Bulls gradually extended the margin to 51-43 with 2:19 left in the half, but the Bucks scored the next six points, and the half ended with Chicago ahead 54-52.

With Bill Cartwright scoring six points, the Bulls outscored Milwaukee 13-5 at the start of the second half for a 67-57 lead.

It was the first of three 10-point leads for the Bulls, but Pierce scored 11 points in the quarter, including a closing three-point play, to make it 79-74 going into the final quarter.