Keith Askins

Bulls vs. Heat 1992 Playoffs Game 1 Jordan: 46pts/11rb/9ast

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• published: 05 Jul 2007
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24 April 1992 The first game of the 1992 playoffs. This was Miami's first playoff experience and they were determined to make some noise. They started the game with a lot of energy and looked very promising. But that was until Jordan decided to take over. It was total domination. After three quarters Jordan had 42/8/6 with some steals and a block. The Bulls having a comfortable lead, he shot only three times in the final quarter. Finished with 46/11/9/3stl/1 blk on 21/34 shooting. Went to the line only 4 times. Hoops has the third game of this series where Jordan scores 56 in Miami. Post game notes & quotes ======================== CHICAGO (AP) -- These are the playoffs, also known as Michael Jordan time. "I told you this is what I've been waiting for. I've been excited all week. This is fun time," Jordan said Friday night after scoring 46 points as Chicago began defense of its NBA championship with a 113-94 victory over Miami. Showing no ill effects from the back spasms that bothered him earlier in the week, Jordan scored 15 points in the second quarter when the Bulls went ahead to stay, and 15 more in the third quarter when they pulled away to an 87-73 lead. Jordan also had 11 rebounds and nine assists. "He was keyed up, this is his special time of the season," coach Phil Jackson said. "He was anxious to get started and he made a great statement." Jackson blamed the Bulls' slow start on being "very nervous -- no, very anxious." "The suspense of the playoffs was laboring in the back of our minds. We tried to do too much too quickly in the first quarter," Jackson said. "I have no complaints, I wasn't displeased," Miami coach Kevin Loughery said. "We just didn't score. That's a great defensive club." As for Jordan, Loughery said, "He's got several levels at which he can play. It's another level which he rises to for the playoffs." Will Perdue scored 16 points, 14 in the second half, Horace Grant had 15 and Scottie Pippen 11 for Chicago. Steve Smith led Miami with 19, Glen Rice had 17, Brian Shaw 15 and Rony Seikaly 14 before fouling out in the final period. It was a close game in the first half before the Bulls began pulling away. The Heat led most of the first quarter. Smith gave Miami a 7-4 lead on a three-point play and the Heat gradually pulled ahead 20-14. The Bulls went on a 10-3 run with Jordan scoring eight points to take a 24-23 lead but Smith scored the final four points to put Miami ahead 27- 24 at the end of the quarter. A three-point play by Pippen and a basket by Jordan put Chicago ahead 29-27 but two 3-pointers by Keith Askins gave the Heat a 35-31 lead. There were three lead changes and six ties in the second quarter, the last at 43-43. Then Jordan struck for two quick scores and came back with a three-point play for a 50- 45 lead on the way to a 60-53 advantage at the half. The Heat came within five of the lead early in the second half before Jordan scored five straight for a 67-57 lead, and the Heat couldn't recover.