NBA PLAYOFFS : Jordan Gets Off Floor as Bulls Score Decision

Michael Jordan showed another facet of his greatness Sunday. He can’t be intimidated.

The star of the Chicago Bulls, dazed and battered on a takedown while driving to the basket in the first minute of the fourth quarter, came back to make the decisive plays in the Bulls’ 109-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jordan made five points in 20 seconds to thwart a desperate rally by the Bucks and give the Bulls their second win in a row at Chicago. The Bulls can clinch the best-of-five, first-round series with a victory Tuesday night at Milwaukee.

The usual capacity crowd of 18,676 was cheering the Bulls, who led, 79-75, as Jordan drove to the basket. Greg Anderson, 6-feet-10 and 230 pounds, made sure the 6-6 guard didn’t score. He took Jordan down hard.

Jordan landed hard. As he lay there motionless, a hush went over Chicago Stadium. Jordan wasn’t about to leave the game, which would have meant he couldn’t return because he had to shoot a free throw. He appeared to be dazed and missed the foul shot, and for the next few minutes, he was not 100%.

But with 1:02 left and the Bulls leading, 99-97, Jordan fearlessly drove the baseline, made the basket, was fouled and converted to make it 102-97. Ricky Pierce made a three-point shot for the Bucks, but Jordan again drove the baseline, was fouled and made two free throws to clinch it.

“It was a scary moment,” Jordan said. “I was dazed, but no matter what, I was not going to leave the game. I didn’t want my teammates to think I was not fine.

“I knew I had to stay in there and accept the challenge.”

Jordan, who finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists, had made eight consecutive free throws before being shaken up. He missed two of four, but at the finish, he did not miss.

“It wasn’t an intentional foul,” Jordan said. “I was going to the basket and he was trying to block the shot. I was a little dizzy the rest of the game and I have a headache now.”

Milwaukee Coach Del Harris saw things differently. He wasn’t sure it was a foul. “The call was tough,” he said. “It looked like a great block, but unfortunately, Michael came down hard.”

It was a tough loss for the Bucks. With Scottie Pippen and Jordan leading the way, the Bulls raced to a 27-10 lead. In came Paul Pressey, the Buck veteran just off the injured list. Pressey turned the game around in a hurry.

By the middle of the second quarter, he had 11 points and six assists and the Bucks were back in the game. Pressey, known as an outstanding defensive player, finished with 25 points and 12 assists.

It was not quite enough.

Philadelphia 107, Cleveland 101--Charles Barkley was an all-purpose player again at Philadelphia and the 76ers beat the Cavaliers in Game 2 of their best-of-five Eastern Conference series.

Barkley toweled wet spots on the floor, led the cheering and scored 32 points. The Cavaliers dominated early and had a 59-56 halftime lead.

But Barkley scored nine of his points in a 14-6 run at the start of the second half that put the 76ers in front to stay.

The Cavaliers, who lost by five points in the opener Thursday night, will try to prevent a sweep by winning at home Tuesday night.

Barkley, who scored 38 points in the first game, was 13 for 19 from the field, including one from beyond the three-point line.

Mark Price led the Cavaliers with 27 points.