NBA FINALS : Chicago Bulls vs. Seattle Super Sonics : The Only Thing Pretty for Bulls Is Final Score

Chances?

The Seattle SuperSonics had more chances in Game 2 of the NBA finals than Dennis Rodman has had trips to the hairdresser. More chances than Rodman had rebounds Friday night. OK, maybe not that many.

The Chicago Bulls went the final 9 1/2 minutes at the United Center with only two baskets, the last six minutes without any and missed half of their 16 fourth-quarter free throws. That would be the same Chicago Bulls who today have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after holding on for a 92-88 victory before 24,544.

Michael Jordan had 29 points and Rodman tied a finals’ record with 11 offensive rebounds and contributed 20 boards in all.

“You’ve got to give them credit,” Jordan, who made only nine of 22 shots, said of the SuperSonics. “They pushed us hard at home. But the outcome is that we defended our home-court advantage.”

Just not too much credit. Given the chance to turn the series and put some real pressure on the Bulls for the first time all season--none of this go-for-70-wins stuff--the SuperSonics failed to take advantage.

Seattle made only seven of 18 shots (38.9%) in the final period, getting one field goal the final four minutes and nothing else except free throws. Certainly not any defensive rebounds of significance.

Things could be worse for the SuperSonics, though--the Bulls could be playing well. Instead, the best team in basketball, after needing a late jump start from Toni Kukoc two nights earlier in the opener, again struggled for extended stretches.

“Chicago did what they had to do: won two on their home court, held their home-court advantage,” Seattle Coach George Karl said as his team prepares for the next two contests in Seattle. “I don’t think we have to worry about anything but the third game. We need an energy game. We need to get some confidence back.”

Confidence that may have been shaken with another late defeat, perhaps worse than getting blown out.

This time, the Bulls had an 11-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter, then pushed that to 13 when Scottie Pippen sliced down the lane. Then the locals decided to make things interesting again.

They went from 9:42 to 6:44 without a point, missing three shots and committing three turnovers in between. The SuperSonics chipped away with a three-point play and a couple of free throws, closing to 80-74 with 7:05 left.

Soon after, the Bulls had a stretch of six consecutive misses. That allowed Seattle to get within 88-84 with 1:14 to play.

The seventh miss could have meant real trouble, as if this threat wasn’t real enough. It was 90-86 when Steve Kerr’s jumper bounced away, giving the SuperSonics a shot to make it a one-basket game. Except that Rodman was on the court.

He crashed the boards, his 11th offensive rebound to tie Elvin Hayes’ mark for most in a game in the championship series, set May 27, 1979. That became one free throw by Kukoc, nothing major, but enough to stem the tide.

“The second opportunities, the little things he did,” Karl said.

The big things too.

It was 91-88 when Kemp, en route to 29 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs, made two free throws with 12.3 seconds left.

Further sign of Chicago troubles came when Kukoc could not get the ball in after that, forcing a timeout.

The Bulls came out, managed to make an entry pass, then got it to Pippen, who was intentionally fouled with 8.9 seconds remaining. To think this seemed like good news to them.

Instead, Pippen missed both free throws, the second one nearly an airball, barely hitting the front of the rim. Rodman to the rescue. He grabbed the loose ball before being tied up by Seattle’s Sam Perkins for a jump with 6.9 showing.

From there, Rodman tipped the ball backward, to Pippen. Precious seconds drained off the clock as the Bulls played keep away, finally getting it back to Rodman.

This could not have been high on their option list, but the way things were going, it couldn’t have hurt.

When he made one of two tries with 3.7 seconds left, the margin was at four points, sealing the win, finally.

Maybe even sealing the title. Only two teams have come back from a 0-2 deficit to win in the finals, the Boston Celtics in 1969 against the Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers in ’77 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bulls, even in their troubled times, relatively speaking, don’t seem in any position to lose four of the next five. Not when they’ve already given Seattle enough chances.

* A RODMAN NIGHT: If you’re looking for a reason for the Bulls’ 2-0 lead in the NBA finals, try Dennis Rodman. C10

* BOX SCORE, NOTES: C10