NBA

‘The Last Dance’ Redux: The Bulls Lose Their Second Straight in an Eastern Conference Finals Preview With the Pacers

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Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller battle during a Bulls-Pacers matchup

Coming off a one-point loss to the Seattle Supersonics, the “Last Dance” Chicago Bulls continued their seven-game road trip in Indiana on November 28, 1997, for the first of 11 matchups with the Pacers throughout the season.

Neither team was playing at the level that would ultimately take them to the Eastern Conference Finals, as Chicago entered the game with an 8-6 record while Indiana came in with a .500 mark at 6-6. And this wasn’t a particularly well-played game overall. Nevertheless, the Pacers walked away with a 94-83 victory and surpassed the Bulls in the standings.

Oddly enough, however, had the postseason started that day, neither team would have been included. Yeah, I know this was early in the year, but it just goes to show how much the Bulls were struggling early on.

Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller battle during a Bulls-Pacers matchup
Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller battle during a Chicago Bulls-Indiana Pacers matchup | Vincent Laforet/Allsport

Chicago shot just 41% from the floor in the loss, while Larry Bird’s group wasn’t much better in victory, making just 43.3% of its attempts.

Reggie Miller was one of four Pacers in double figures, leading the way with 24 points. Rik Smits chipped in with 18 points, while Jalen Rose and Travis Best added 13 and 11, respectively, off the bench.

Michael Jordan led the way for the Bulls, making 11 of 26 shots from the floor and just four of eight from the foul line en route to 26 points. Luc Longley was the only other Bull in double figures with 14 points.

BullsPTSREBASTSTLBLK
Michael Jordan267220
Toni Kukoc74410
Luc Longley145112
Dennis Rodman211110
Ron Harper52110
Randy Brown83300
Rusty LaRue51110
Bill Wennington60100
Jason Caffey 65201
Jud Buechler41101
Scott Burrell00000
PacersPTSREBASTSTLBLK
Reggie Miller244501
Dale Davis410011
Rik Smits1811101
Mark Jackson98420
Chris Mullin72100
Antonio Davis812210
Jalen Rose133100
Travis Best112500
Fred Hoiberg00100
Mark Pope00000

Here’s a look at the NBA standings following all the action on November 28, 1997.

Eastern ConferenceWL
Atlanta Hawks122
Miami Heat104
Charlotte Hornets94
Orlando Magic105
New Jersey Nets95
New York Knicks 95
Cleveland Cavaliers86
Milwaukee Bucks86
Indiana Pacers76
Chicago Bulls87
Boston Celtics78
Detroit Pistons610
Washington Wizards510
Philadelphia 76ers48
Toronto Raptors114
Western ConferenceWL
LA Lakers122
Phoenix Suns92
Seattle Supersonics123
Portland Trail Blazers105
Houston Rockets75
San Antonio Spurs86
Utah Jazz86
Minnesota Timberwolves68
Vancouver Grizzlies610
Sacramento Kings510
Dallas Mavericks410
LA Clippers213
Denver Nuggets112
Golden State Warriors112

Up next for the “Last Dance” Bulls was their second matchup of the year with the Washington Wizards.

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