Jordan's 46 show he's fit // Bulls begin title defense with easy romp vs. Heat

BULLS 113 HEAT 94

There was some question earlier this week whether Michael Jordanwould even play in Friday night's playoff opener against the MiamiHeat. All but crippled last Sunday by a strained back, Jordancertainly wouldn't be at his best, right?

Ha!

Jordan proved a major pain in Miami's collective backside whileleading the Bulls to a 113-94 rout before 18,676 at the Stadium.

The Bulls star produced his seventh-best playoff performancewith 46 points on 21-for-34 shooting, including seven dunks, abreathtaking series of weaving drives and endless jump shots. Headded 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals.

"I told you this is something I've been waiting for," Jordansaid of the Bulls' run at a second consecutive NBA title.

"This is fun time. This is what we've worked for. No one canunderstand how much fun it was to win the championship last year."

Jordan's brilliance has come to be expected, but reserve centerWill Perdue was a surprise. He equaled career bests in scoring andrebounding with 16 points and 10 boards and set a playoff high withfour blocked shots in just 18 minutes.

"I got off to a good start and that will build up myconfidence," said Perdue , who scored 12 points in the fourthquarter. "It's evident the way we play that teams have to help outon Michael and Scottie (Pippen). I was able to set up five feet outin the lane and move to the basket when my man went to double team."

The Bulls overcame a miserable first quarter in which they shot43 percent (10-for-23) and made five turnovers that led to ninepoints for Miami. The Heat led 27-24 after one period.

"We know games are not won in 12 minutes," Jordan said.

Were the Bulls nervous?

"This was the first playoff game and naturally we had thejiggles," Horace Grant said.

The jiggles?

"We were anxious, not really nervous," Bulls coach Phil Jacksonsaid.

Jordan scored 15 points in the second quarter and Grant eight asthe Bulls outscored Miami 36-26 for a 60-53 halftime lead. Jordanadded 15 in the third period as the Bulls built an 87-73 advantage.

"He's keyed up for these games," Jackson said. "This is aspecial time of the season. He was anxious for it to begin and Ithink he made a great statement to start."

Grant added 15 points and seven rebounds, Pippen had 11 pointsand 11 assists and John Paxson and Bill Cartwright each scored eightpoints.

Rookie Steve Smith led the Heat with 19 points. Glen Ricescored 17, Brian Shaw 15 and Rony Seikaly 14 before fouling out withsix minutes left.

"Michael and Will Perdue really killed us," Miami coach KevinLoughery said. "Michael has several levels at which he can play.It's another level that he rises to in the playoffs."

The Bulls shot 54.7 percent (47-for-86) to Miami's 43.5 percent(37-for-85) and enjoyed a 44-32 rebounding advantage.

"Tonight was Will's night," Jordan said. "Now is the time whenthe second team has to help out."

NOTES: Michael Jordan left the game briefly in the thirdquarter after getting kneed in the back of his thigh. He said theinjury didn't bother him after the game.

"Of course, I doubt I'd feel any pain right now, I feel prettyenergetic," he said. Stacey King was fined $250 for arriving in the locker room 22minutes late. King said he was confused by the 7:10 tip off.Jordan and Bill Cartwright received minor fines for being a fewminutes late. Scottie Pippen was named the Bulls' player of the month for Aprilafter averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 10games.