Full Game: Surviving a Game 7 War | Bulls vs Pacers, Game 7 ECF (May 31, 1998)

Full Game: Surviving a Game 7 War | Bulls vs Pacers, Game 7 ECF (May 31, 1998)

The Chicago Bulls’ “Last Dance” faced its most perilous moment in this grueling, winner-take-all Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. In one of the toughest playoff series of their championship era, the aging Bulls were pushed to the absolute brink. This hard-fought 88-83 victory was a testament to veteran poise and championship will, sending Chicago to the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight years.

This series was a physical, defensive war from the start. “If I had to pick a team that gave us the toughest time in the East, Indiana was probably the toughest, outside of Detroit,” Michael Jordan later stated in The Last Dance, Episode 9. The Pacers, led by legendary rival Larry Bird in his first year as head coach, were bigger, younger, and brimming with confidence. “We all felt we were the better team,” Reggie Miller recalled of that Pacers squad.

The decisive seventh game was anything but a masterpiece for the Bulls’ superstars. Michael Jordan struggled with his shot, finishing 9-for-25 from the field, while Scottie Pippen was just 7-for-20. With the dynasty hanging in the balance, it was the Bulls’ depth and experience that rose to the occasion. Toni Kukoč provided a critical spark off the bench, scoring 21 points on efficient 7-for-11 shooting. “It was a real struggle for us,” coach Phil Jackson conceded after the game. “Thank goodness for Toni Kukoc coming off the bench.”

Despite an off shooting night, Jordan found other ways to dominate, finishing with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Pippen contributed 12 rebounds and punishing defense. In the end, it was the Bulls’ championship DNA that outlasted the Pacers’ challenge in a brutal contest. “It was a very tough, tough series,” Jordan acknowledged. “We were very fortunate to win.” The victory set the stage for a historic NBA Finals rematch against the Utah Jazz.

Timestamp Index:

00:00 – NBA Showtime Introduction
00:15:45 – Bob Costas’ pre-game interview with Reggie Miller
00:28:55 – Dale Davis’ opening dunk for the Pacers
00:30:28 – Michael Jordan’s first basket on an offensive rebound and putback
00:41:20 – Michael Jordan to Scottie Pippen for a dunk on a 2-on-1 fast break
00:52:23 – Reggie Miller’s three-pointer gives Indiana a 10-point lead
00:55:08 – Start of the 2nd Quarter
01:00:40 – Steve Kerr’s three-pointer cuts the lead to two
01:01:52 – Michael Jordan ties the game with a drive to the basket
01:05:20 – Jordan gets the putback on his own missed free throw for a three-point play
01:17:40 – Final Two Minutes of the 1st Half
01:19:25 – Reggie Miller’s second consecutive three-pointer cuts the Bulls’ lead to one
01:19:42 – Scott Burrell hits a shot at the buzzer to end the first half
01:25:39 – Start of the 3rd Quarter
01:31:40 – Tony Kukoc hits his second three-pointer of the quarter
01:42:43 – Tony Kukoc’s basket gives him 21 points for the game
01:50:35 – Start of the 4th Quarter
01:54:10 – Jalen Rose ties the game at 69-69
01:58:11 – Michael Jordan’s offensive rebound and putback ties the game at 71-71
02:04:20 – Steve Kerr ties the game at 77-77
02:09:05 – Michael Jordan’s offensive rebound leads to a Luc Longley basket
02:14:03 – Scottie Pippen’s driving layup and-one puts the Bulls up by four
02:16:40 – Final Two Minutes of the Game
02:20:25 – Ahmad Rashad’s post-game interview with Michael Jordan
02:21:54 – Bob Costas’ post-game interview with Tony Kukoc