Grant Grabs Rebound and Bulls Grab 2-0 Lead

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen dominated the scoring Monday night, but the Chicago Bulls were talking about Horace Grant’s offensive rebounding in the closing minutes of their 112-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Grant made the key play after the 76ers, who had trailed by as many as 14 points early in the fourth quarter, had cut the deficit to 103-98 on a pair of free throws by Hersey Hawkins.

Jordan, who finished with 29 points, missed a long jumper, but Grant got the rebound and scored to start a 6-0 run that put the game away, giving the Bulls a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series that moves to Philadelphia for games Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

“We didn’t fold down the stretch, and one reason was Horace’s three offensive rebounds,” Jordan said.

Grant, who had seven of his 10 rebounds on the offensive boards, said on the big play, “I went to the opposite side, tipped it to myself and then tipped it in.”

Said Pippen, who finished with 23 points: “Horace’s play on the offensive boards was excellent, but our defense also stayed in the game.”

Both coaches agreed that Grant’s rebounding was a key.

“The three offensive rebounds by Grant late in the game made a big difference,” Chicago’s Phil Jackson said.

“Grant’s stickback was the big play of the game,” Philadelphia’s Jim Lynam added.

Both sides agreed that the 76ers played better than they did in the opening game Saturday, when they lost, 105-92.

Hawkins scored 30 points, Armon Gilliam had 22 and Charles Barkley added 20. But the Bulls countered with five starters scoring in double figures. Bill Cartwright had 13 points, Grant added 11 and John Paxson had 10.

“We came out and played better offense tonight,” Lynam said. “But we missed too many second shots.”