Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz earned his first MVP and first trip to the Finals in 1997. His opponent was the reigning champion Chicago Bulls, led by 1996 MVP Michael Jordan. Chicago had few weaknesses and rarely failed to show up as they constantly did everything to win. Knowing he played better angry, Jordan often found little things or slights to motivate him. In these Finals, the injustice was ranking second in MVP voting behind Malone. Game 1 was Utah’s best chance to take home-court advantage in the series. It came down to the last second. Both MVP players had the opportunity to play hero, but only one would come through.
MICHAEL JORDAN HIT HIS 9TH & FINAL CAREER BUZZER-BEATER (MOST ALL-TIME)
Both Chicago and Utah were the top seeds in their respective conferences. Both also had MVP candidates with All-Star teammates. Game 1 was the crucial tone-setter for the Finals and it did not disappoint. The score stayed within single digits at the end of each quarter and with ten seconds left, the game was tied. John Stockton missed a three, but Karl Malone grabbed the rebound and was fouled. With Utah in the bonus, Malone went to the free-throw line where he missed both shots. A timeout was called as Chicago secured possession, giving the Bulls a chance to win the game on an inbound play.
Michael Jordan was no stranger to game-winning shots at the buzzer, especially in the playoffs. At that point in his career, Jordan had hit two, both against Cleveland. The inbound pass went to Toni Kukoc who quickly got the ball to Jordan. He drove left with Bryon Russell guarding him and shot a pull jumper just inside the three-point line. It went in at the buzzer, winning Chicago the game. There has not been another buzzer-beating game-winner in the Finals since nor has anyone surpassed MJ’s nine career GW buzzer-beaters. CHI would win the Finals in six games and they also defeated Utah the next year to complete Jordan’s second three-peat.
June 1, 1997: Chicago #Bulls SG Michael Jordan drained the final of his 9 career GW buzzer-beaters (most ever) to defeat the Utah Jazz in Game 1 after Karl Malone's 2 clutch missed FTs. It’s the most recent buzzer-beater in the NBA Finals to this daypic.twitter.com/un5l7I8uqX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 1, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boy2lZlKRFY&t=1s
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