The 1997 NBA Finals featured two teams with different narratives. On one side, the Chicago Bulls were defending their title and trying to win their fifth championship in seven years. On the other end was the Utah Jazz, a team that was looking to win its first chip in franchise history.
Given these differences, analysts heavily favored the Bulls to win it all. Their experience was a major asset, as well as the presence of Michael Jordan, whose impressive resume included an unblemished 4-0 NBA Finals record at the time.
No ice in his veins
This experience in high-stakes games was critical in Game 1. Even though Jordan missed a free throw in the final 39 seconds that would’ve given the Bulls a one-point lead, the Bulls kept calm and put their best foot forward on defense.
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Chicago was at ease even as Karl Malone went to the free-throw line for a chance to win the game. Things were quite different for the Jazz star. The “Mailman” looked tense as he missed the two free throws, which would’ve given them the lead.
Nerves played a factor. It was Malone’s first time in the 1997 NBA Finals, and it happened to be on Chicago’s home court. The jeering crowd must have messed up his stroke, and according to point guard Steve Kerr, the home rims and the Bulls mascot also contributed to those heartbreaking misses.
“That rim down there the last two months has been loose because of our mascot dunking all the time,” Kerr said in 1997, per the Los Angeles Times. “They had to tighten the rim after the Miami series because if was rolling around so much, and thank God, because both those free throws were right there.”
“They tightened them up with a screwdriver, just right. It’s about time Da Bull helped us–the guy can’t even make a dunk,” he added.
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Setting up for victory
The Bulls secured the rebound and immediately called a timeout. With 7.5 seconds left, Phil Jackson drew up a play for his star shooting guard, “Air Jordan.” As he had done multiple times, MJ patiently waited to see what the defense was going to give him.
When the double team didn’t come, Mike made a simple move to free himself from Bryon Russell before rising for the game-winning mid-range shot. No. 23 pumped his fist as the Chicago crowd jumped up and down with joy.
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Meanwhile, Malone and his teammates walked gingerly off the court with their heads down. Those free throws would’ve given them a 1-0 lead over the Bulls.
“I don’t know if we let one get away, but certainly that game was winnable,” John Stockton said. “Whether it slipped away or they took it or whatever, that’s still a loss, and you have to go on.”
Given how close the series was, those missed free throws hurt. Snagging a win on the road is critical in the postseason, especially in the final round. If only those crazy halftime shows hadn’t existed, the Jazz would’ve had a real shot at that 1997 NBA title.