Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman in 1997

Anyone who ever played against Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan knows how he turns his game up to an entirely new level in the Playoffs. During Game 2 of the 1st round series between the Bulls and Washington Bullets in the 1997 NBA Playoffs, Jordan put on a show that will never be forgotten. He scored an incredible 55 points, including 20 of the team’s last 23 points, to elevate the Bulls to a 109-104 win and a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five affair.

Second half surge

The Bullets were a young, up-and-coming squad that had a promising core of talented players led by Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, and Rod Strickland. They finished the regular season as the eighth-seed to earn a Playoff showdown with the reigning champions. The Bullets were hardly fazed by their opponents as they established a 65-58 halftime lead in Game 2.

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However, the Bulls flipped the switch in the third quarter and outscored the Bullets, 28-15. Then, with the Bullets not backing down in the fourth, pulling to within two at 86-84, His Airness went on to score the next 14 points to help the Bulls take a 100-93 lead.

Jordan was just scorching hot in that game, making 22 of his 35 shots and a pristine 10-of-10 from the line. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Nothing anyone can do

After the game, the Bullets were left with a feeling of helplessness in the face of Jordan’s greatness. Bullets wingman Tracy Murray, who scored 22 points in that game, said:

“There’s nothing you could do. You double-, triple-team him and he’s triple-pumping, falling and fading away, shooting up-and-unders from 15 and 17 feet away. He had his whole game going. I don’t think Hercules could stop him tonight.”

However, the Bulls flipped the switch in the third quarter and outscored the Bullets, 28-15. Then, with the Bullets not backing down in the fourth, pulling to within two at 86-84, His Airness went on to score the next 14 points to help the Bulls take a 100-93 lead.

Jordan was just scorching hot in that game, making 22 of his 35 shots and a pristine 10-of-10 from the line. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Nothing anyone can do

After the game, the Bullets were left with a feeling of helplessness in the face of Jordan’s greatness. Bullets wingman Tracy Murray, who scored 22 points in that game, said:

“There’s nothing you could do. You double-, triple-team him and he’s triple-pumping, falling and fading away, shooting up-and-unders from 15 and 17 feet away. He had his whole game going. I don’t think Hercules could stop him tonight.”