The Last Dance 1.09

Episode IX

The Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers met in the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls had home court advantage and won the first two games in Chicago. The Pacers came back and won game 3 by two. The Pacers came from behind to win game 4 but almost lost it on a last second three point shot by Jordan which almost went in. The series then went back to Chicago tied 2-2.

The Bulls and the Utah Jazz met in the 1997 NBA Finals. The Bulls had the home court advantage. It was the first trip to the finals for the Jazz. Karl Malone was named the NBA's MVP that year. Game 1 was close but Jordan won it on a last second shot. Game 2 was not close. The Bulls won it by more than 10 points. The series moves to Utah where the Jazz won games 3 and 4.

Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was also played in Utah. Jordan got a case of food poisoning the night before game 5. He wasn't feeling well but he still played most of the game and scored 37 points. The Bulls won the game and the series returned to Chicago with the Bulls ahead 3-2.

Steve Kerr gets a spotlight. His past is explored. He talks about the role he saw for himself on the Bulls and how John Paxon helped him when he signed with the Bulls. He also talks about his family and his father, Malcolm Kerr, an expert in Middle East Affairs. Malcolm was killed in Beirut when he was the dean of the American University of Beirut.

The Bulls won Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals and the title in Chicago on a shot by Steve Kerr.

The 1998 Eastern Conference Finals went the distance after the Bulls and Pacers split games 5 and 6.  Game 7 was close but the Bulls pulled away and won it in the closing minutes. It was just the second time they played a game 7 in their championship years.