Daily Bulls

Many players and franchises are remembered for what they have done in game 7. The Chicago Bulls are 4-6 in game 7’s all-time and haven’t played in a Game 7 since 2014. Does this mean I included a loss in this list? Yes, but it’s for an excellent reason. Chicago has never played a game 7 during the NBA Finals. Here are my top 5 greatest games 7’s in Chicago Bulls history.

5. Bulls vs Pistons 1974 Semifinals

After losing their first two game 7’s against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971 and 1973, they finally became the 9th NBA team to win a game 7. On April 13, 1974, the Chicago Bulls defeated Detroit Pistons 96-94 at the Chicago Stadium. This series marked the first series ever between the Bulls and Pistons.

Chet Walker, the leading scorer for Chicago, had 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds to get his first playoff series win with Chicago. Bob Love contributed with 24 points and got six rebounds. Love became the second Bull to get their number retired (#10). Detroit got led by Stu Lantz, who tallied 24 points and eight rebounds. Hall of Famer Bob Lanier got 23 points and ten rebounds. Lanier recorded a double-double in all seven games.

At halftime of game 7, Chicago had a 52-41 lead and felt comfortable. But Detroit outscored Chicago 53-44 but failed to take back the lead late in the game. Walker and Love in the fourth quarter helped Chicago find a way to get past Detroit and get their first game 7 in franchise history. Chicago would go on to lose in the Western Conference Finals in 4 games against the Milwaukee Bucks.

4. Pistons vs Bulls 1990 ECF

On June 3, 1990, Chicago lost in blowout fashion, 93-74, against the Pistons. That was the third straight season; Detroit ended Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ season in the postseason. Michael Jordan had 31 points and shot 48.1% from the field. But the rest of the Bulls couldn’t contribute by shooting a terrible 15 for 63. Scottie Pippen shot 1 for 10 and got only 2 points. The second-leading scorer for Chicago was Horace Grant, with 10 points.

For Detroit, five players scored in double digits. That includes Isiah Thomas, who had a near triple-double of 21 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Dennis Rodman had 11 points and got nine rebounds. Big man Bill Laimbeer had 13 points and seven rebounds. Mark Aguirre had 15 points off the bench, and John Salley got 14 points.

So why would I put an embarrassing loss at #4 on this list? This series was the last series Michael Jordan would lose for the next four years. MJ cried on the team bus after the loss, and he became motivated to get over the hump and get to his first NBA Finals appearance. Next season, Chicago swept Detroit and beat the Los Angeles Lakers to get their first- NBA title in franchise history. So maybe losing to the Pistons was a good idea.

3. Nets vs Bulls 2013 First Round

Brooklyn played their first-ever playoff season against the Bulls in the 2013 playoffs but failed to complete the 3-1 series comeback against Chicago; the Bulls won 99-93 in Brooklyn to get their fourth game 7 win in franchise history. Chicago was undermanned for the entire series with missing 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose, Luol Deng had flu-like symptoms, and Taj Gibson and Nate Robinson were also dealing with their own illnesses. This series was the first playoff series win without Derrick Rose since a sweep against the Miami Heat in the 2007 playoffs.

Marco Belinelli had himself a game with 24 points shooting 57.1% from the field. Joakim Noah got a near triple-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks. Nate Robinson had 12 points and four assists to help out as well. Chicago’s biggest lead of the night was at 17 points at halftime, but Brooklyn outscored Chicago 31-21 in the third quarter. But the Bulls held their lead in the fourth quarter to win the series in Brooklyn.

2. Bulls vs Knicks 1992 Semifinals

On May 17, 1992, Chicago would get their first game 7 win in the Michael Jordan era against the New York Knicks, 110-81. After a game 6 loss in New York, 100-86, many people began to have thoughts about whether the Bulls would be able to repeat as NBA champions and thoughts about Jordan’s legacy. Well, Jordan responded to those thoughts with a 42-point performance at the Chicago Stadium to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Scottie Pippen had a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Bulls would go on repeat as NBA Champions against the Portland Trail Blazers. Patrick Ewing had 22 points, and Mark Johnson got a double-double of 11 points and ten assists. Chicago would finish the game shooting 58.1% from the field, while New York finished shooting 37.8% from the field.

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1. Bulls vs Pacers 1998 ECF

The most significant game 7 in Chicago Bulls history is 100% game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls and Pacers; Chicago won 88-83. Almost every human on the planet knew this would be the last postseason of the Chicago Bulls dynasty and in Michael Jordan’s career. Jordan finished the game with team-high 28 points but shot 9-25 from the field. Scottie Pippen got 17 points and 12 rebounds. Steve Kerr contributed with 12 points, including three three-pointers.

Indiana and Chicago were in a dog fight, and the game was physical; you had to fight for every bucket. After the first quarter, Indiana was up 27-19 and got off to a hot start. But Chicago responded to take a 48-45 into halftime. In the final five minutes of game 7, Chicago went on a 9-4 run to finish business and advance to the NBA finals for the third straight year. The Bulls would complete their second three-peat against the Utah Jazz in game 6.

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