Maestro MJ soars; Jazz hits flat note

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Michael Jordan ponders the question: Did Scottie Pippen tank the layup?
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Either way, he kept Michael Jordan from adding another accomplishment to the NBA's longest résumé Wednesday night.

In the final minutes of the Bulls' 97-85 victory over the Utah Jazz, about the only suspense remaining in Game 2 was whether Jordan would notch the first NBA Finals triple-double of his career.

Q&A WITH THE BULLS

Question from Bryan Curry of Chicago: Are the Bulls hungry enough to sweep the series? Answer from Michael Jordan: "As a team, we have great momentum. Myself, I seem to have a pretty good rhythm offensively. I hope that we can maintain that on the road. In Utah, we need to take the crowd out of the game, so that we can produce the same result."

After primarily looking to set up teammates throughout the fourth quarter, Jordan appeared to have the lone remaining assist he was looking for when he found a cutting Pippen wide open under the hoop with 3:30 remaining.

Pippen caught the ball in stride, turned and elevated to find himself alone with the rim.

Clang!

Pippen's right-handed layup off the glass bounded around the rim and out. Jordan, who had thrown a deft pass from out beyond the 3-point arc, could only shake his head and point at his embarrassed teammate as he backpedaled down court to the tune of groans from the fans at the United Center.

"He had a good look," understated Jordan, who finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and plenty of reason to rib his All-Star teammate.

"He apologized before I even said anything. ... (But) there's no love lost between Scottie and myself because of that."

Ironically, the miss kept Jordan from joining Pippen as the only Bulls player to ever record a triple-double in the Finals. Pippen had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a victory over Phoenix on June 11, 1993.

Michael Jordan was a solid 11 for 20 from the floor. Click here for complete shot charts of Game 2.

"He doesn't need a triple-double," Pippen joked. "He already has everything."

But Pippen admitted he missed a gimme.

"I had an opportunity," he said. "I should have made the layup, and it didn't fall. I guess it wasn't mean to be."

Considering that Jordan's line was still terrific and the Bulls cruised to a victory that put them two games away from their fifth NBA title in seven years, Jordan's missed triple-double might seem like a small matter.

Don't bet on it.

A fierce competitor who always seems to be aware of statistical milestones, Jordan asked to stay in the game in the fourth quarter and not come out for his customary rest early in the period. Presumably, MJ could have only had one thing on his mind.

Coach Phil Jackson said Jordan's request had to do with his desire to maintain an "offensive momentum" and not to gain a statistical achievement.

"It had nothing to do with (the triple-double)," Jackson said. "It had to do with the score on the board."

Q&A WITH THE BULLS

Question from Joel Porch of Illinois: How big did you feel the Bulls' bench play was in Game 2? Answer from reserve guard Steve Kerr: "Everybody gave support to Michael and Scottie -- although Michael seemed to be really dragging there at the end. He had to really extend himself, unfortunately. We should have put that game away."

Added Jordan, "I asked to stay in the game because we seemed to have a great rhythm. They had their two (top) starters, (Karl) Maloneand (John) Stockton still in the game. As long as they were playing, I wanted to play."

One teammate was certain Jordan knew how close he was to the first triple-double in the Finals since Charles Barkley had one against the Bulls in 1993.

"I'm sure he knew, and I'm sure he wanted it," forward Jud Buechler said. "But when the Finals come, you've got to put all that individual stuff aside and just get wins."

Jordan said he would trade the achievement for something else.

"I'd rather have a healthy Scottie Pippen than a triple-double," he said of his teammate, who is battling a foot injury. "I just hope he can make a layup or two."

The Bulls also were buzzing about: