Clippers Blown Out of Windy City

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch thought his team was intimidated.

He was probably right.

Toni Kukoc, making his last start after replacing Dennis Rodman during his six-game suspension, had 16 points and nine rebounds Saturday as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Clippers, 106-85, before 23,764.

“My old coach at Coe College, Tommy Thomsen, was here and he’s probably wondering, ‘What did I teach him?’ After this, he’s going to tell everybody that he never knew me,” Fitch said. “I don’t know if we’re coming in here in awe of what they’re doing or what they’ve done, but I didn’t recognize my team. We never did play any defense.”

The Clippers had won four of their previous six games.

Scottie Pippen scored 22 points and Michael Jordan 21 for the Bulls (62-8), who are guaranteed their second-best regular season. Their only season with more victories was 1991-92, when they went 67-15 en route to their second of three consecutive titles.

The Bulls, who need eight wins in their final 12 games to break the 1971-72 Lakers’ NBA record of 69 victories, improved to 36-0 at the United Center as they try for the league’s first unbeaten home season. Chicago has won a record 43 consecutive regular-season home games.

Thanks greatly to Kukoc, the Bulls have won eight of their last nine games despite playing without Pippen, Rodman or both.

“I’ll try to get the same thing going off the bench, but it’s easier to start,” Kukoc said. “Now it’s up to [Coach] Phil Jackson to use me more. And I’ll try to be 100% ready.”

So it’s back to the bench for Kukoc, who averaged 19 points in his nine starts--up from 11 in his first 60 games.

“That’s the most valuable position for the team, if not for Toni,” Jordan said. “We have to make him face reality. This is about winning championships; individuals have to compromise.”