Record 61–21 (.744) Date 1991 Radio WMVP | ||
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Similar 1997–98 Chicago Bulls sea, 1995–96 Chicago Bulls sea, 1996–97 Chicago Bulls sea, 1990–91 NBA season, 1988–89 Chicago Bulls sea | ||
The 1990–91 NBA season was the Bulls' 25th season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Bulls acquired Dennis Hopson from the New Jersey Nets. The Bulls stumbled out of the gate losing their first three games, but it would only be a minor hurdle as they were about to go on a rampage that would not be stopped. The Bulls finished in first place in the Central Division, as well as first overall in the Eastern Conference with a 61–21 record, surpassing their previous franchise-best from the 1971–72 season. Michael Jordan was as spectacular as ever winning another scoring title and his second MVP award, while being selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game.
Contents
- Roster
- Game log
- East First Round
- East Conference Semifinals
- East Conference Finals
- Game 1
- Game 2
- Game 3
- Game 4
- Game 5
- Award winners
- NBA All Star Game
- References
In the first round of the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New York Knicks in three straight games. Then in the semifinals, they defeated the 5th-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in five games. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they swept the defending champions Detroit Pistons in four straight games, and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time. The Bulls would go on to beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals in five games, winning their first ever championship in franchise history. This season was the first of three consecutive NBA titles for the Bulls, as well as marking the beginning of the legendary Bulls Dynasty, which would net the team another five more championships throughout the 1990s.
The team's season roster is featured in the video games NBA 2K16 and NBA 2K17.
Roster
Chicago Bulls depth chart
Game log
Key: Win Loss
East First Round
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) New York Knicks: Bulls win series 3-0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Chicago won 4-2)
East Conference Semifinals
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Philadelphia 76ers: Bulls win series 4-1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1990 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Chicago won 4-1)
East Conference Finals
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: Bulls win series 4-0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1990 Eastern Conference Finals (Detroit won 4-3)
Game 1
Sunday, June 2, at the Chicago Stadium
Game 2
Wednesday, June 5, at the Chicago Stadium The Bulls shot a Finals record 61.7% from the floor, with a Jordan layup over Sam Perkins a highlight.
Game 3
Friday, June 7, at the Great Western Forum
Michael Jordan sends Game 3 to overtime with a pull-up jumper with 3.4 seconds to go.
Game 4
Sunday, June 9, at the Great Western Forum
Game 5
Wednesday, June 12, at the Great Western Forum
The Lakers were facing elimination, and the lack of Worthy and Scott was not any help to the Lakers. This would not stop Magic Johnson as Johnson had 20 assists in the game, but it was not enough. Elden Campbell outscored Michael Jordan with 13 points in the first half, but it was not enough. The Lakers still fought and even led 93-90 in the fourth quarter, but a Bulls 9-0 run, and Paxson's 10 points in the final half of the fourth quarter helped secure the Chicago Bulls', and Michael Jordan's, first NBA title.