Jordan Makes Point With 50 in Bulls’ Win

The Chicago Bulls are still unbeaten, and Michael Jordan remains close to perfect too.

Jordan scored 50 points Wednesday night and the Bulls rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Heat, 106-100, at Miami.

“Michael wanted to make a statement,” Miami Coach Pat Riley said. “When he’s 40, he’s still going to want to make a statement.”

Jordan, 33, made 18 of 33 shots from the field and 13 of 14 free throws. The performance was his most prolific since he scored 53 points against Detroit on March 7.

Chicago trailed throughout the second quarter before scoring six points in the final two seconds of the first half to lead, 57-53. After Scottie Pippen made a three-point basket to put the Bulls ahead for good, Jordan intercepted Kurt Thomas’ inbounds pass and made a three-point shot at the buzzer.

That was part of a 33-6 run that gave Chicago a 67-53 lead early in the third quarter.

Alonzo Mourning had 33 points and 19 rebounds for Miami. Dennis Rodman had 22 rebounds for the Bulls.

Milwaukee 105, Vancouver 89--Vin Baker and rookie Ray Allen scored 20 points each and Glenn Robinson had 18 as the Bucks remained unbeaten by defeating the winless Grizzlies at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, under new Coach Chris Ford, is 3-0 for the first time since 1971-72. The Bucks’ 1970-71 NBA championship team also started 3-0. Vancouver, which dropped to 0-4, was led by Blue Edwards and rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim with 18 points each.

Detroit 103, Dallas 84--Otis Thorpe had 17 points and 13 rebounds and the undefeated Pistons easily defeated the Mavericks at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit improved to 4-0, its best start since going 8-0 in 1988-89. Joe Dumars had 18 points and eight assists and Lindsey Hunter added 16.

Detroit played without Grant Hill, who sat out after aggravating his injured right wrist in Tuesday night’s victory at Philadelphia.

Boston 94, Indiana 84--The Celtics won their first game by overcoming a 26-point deficit and holding the Pacers to eight points in the third quarter at Boston.

Dino Radja had 23 points and 11 rebounds and David Wesley added 19 points for Boston, which outscored Indiana, 38-8, in the third quarter. Reggie Miller scored 28 points, Antonio Davis had 12 and Derrick McKey 11 for the Pacers, who committed 24 turnovers.

Washington 96, San Antonio 86--Chris Webber had 22 points and a career-high 21 rebounds and the Bullets pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Spurs at Landover, Md.

Juwan Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Bullets and Rod Strickland added 16 points and seven assists. Sean Elliott scored 18 points for the Spurs.