Ron Harper got much of the credit for the Bulls’ 102-85 victory over the Miami Heat Friday night at the United Center, giving the hosts a 1-0 edge in the best-of-five series.
The game was tied 54-54 at halftime before Harper sparked a third-quarter run that enabled the Bulls to blow the game open. Harper had three steals and eight points in the period. Coach Phil Jackson also put Harper on Miami guard Tim Hardaway, who scored 26 first-half points. Hardaway scored just four more points the rest of the way.
“Ron Harper was really a force for us in the second half,” Jackson said. “He really got us going.”
Jordan, who ended up with a game-high 35 points, agreed.
“Ron ignited our run with his steals and a couple of quick baskets,” Jordan said. “He has been in those situations throughout the year.”
Harper’s defense on Hardaway will be a key throughout the series, though.
“Tim is a very good offensive player,” Harper said. “He is the key player for their team, and the key for us is to make Tim work for every shot he takes.”
Whistle-blowers: The officials called a total of 56 fouls in the game–32 on the Heat. Jordan was even called for five fouls. “Those five fouls are (an indication) of the way the series will be played,” Jordan said. “I have to be very conscious of that and try to monitor my aggressiveness.”
Heat coach Pat Riley, who was ejected late in the game, just wants the games called fairly. He was upset that Alonzo Mourning fouled out with just 10 points. “Alonzo Mourning is one of the great players in the league,” Riley said. “Obviously, (the officials) don’t think so. I’m going to have to give him a flak jacket.”
Worm watch: Jackson started Toni Kukoc in Dennis Rodman’s place, so as not to get Rodman in any trouble. Rodman still received a technical foul and twice was called for a double foul along with Miami’s Kurt Thomas.
“I had a feeling they would go after Dennis and that would distract us,” Jackson said. “Rodman is going to have to face that, because we know that’s what they’re going to do.”
Nice reception: One of the highlights of Friday’s game was violinist Rachel Barton, who received a standing ovation as she walked onto the court to perform her rendition of the national anthem. The last time Barton performed at the United Center, she was in a wheelchair after losing a leg in a train accident.
Game face: Bulls assistant coach Jim Cleamons said the coaching staff doesn’t have any special preparations for players who aren’t playoff-tested. Chicago native Randy Brown is the only such player on the roster now. “We just tell them to come to play, just like in the regular season,” Cleamons said. “To be honest, the first (playoff) games don’t carry any more importance than a regular-season game. Years ago, we used to play just three games. Now we have five games. It doesn’t matter. The guys already know what’s important.”
No worries: Cleamons said the coaching staff isn’t worried about Scottie Pippen, who slumped in the Bulls’ last 20 regular-season games while battling several nagging injuries. Pippen had just 13 points against the Heat.
“Sometimes, Pip doesn’t need to score to be effective for us,” Cleamons said. “That’s what we’ve tried to tell him the last four or five years. It’s not mandatory that he score 20-plus points. He’s almost better if he’s scoring 14 points, with 10 rebounds and nine assists. Then he’s involved in every phase of the game.”
Not talking: Since getting involved in a war of words with Mourning, Pippen has since toned down his comments about the Bulls’ regular-season loss to the Heat.
“We realize we underestimated that team,” Pippen said. “They had eight guys and we had 12, and we were on a roll. We had a letdown stage where they were able to get some confidence. They came out and challenged us and won that game. That won’t happen again.”
