NBA Bulls end at 72 wins
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1996.
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Michael Jordan had 26 points in just 24 minutes of play and Scottie Pippen scored seven of his 20 points in a decisive 15-0 fourth-quarter run in the Bulls' 103-93 win over the Washington Bullets.
The Bulls, the only team in NBA history to reach the 70-win plateau, finished 72-10.
Jordan won his eighth career scoring title with an average of 30.4 points per game.
Chicago's Dennis Rodman grabbed 11 rebounds and became only the second player in NBA history to win five consecutive rebounding titles, joining Moses Malone. Rodman averaged 14.9 rebounds in 64 games this season.
Chicago will play Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
In Miami, Steve Smith scored eight of his 22 points in a 16-0 burst in the third quarter as the Atlanta Hawks secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 104-92 victory over the Heat.
The Hawks (46-36) will take on the Indiana Pacers who will be without injured leading scorer Reggie Miller in the first round of the playoffs beginning on Thursday.
The Heat (42-40) rested all of their starters in the fourth quarter, drawing boos on Fan Appreciation Day.
In Detroit, Otis Thorpe and Joe Dumars each scored 19 points as the Pistons cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks 108-92.
Detroit (46-36) will play the powerful Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.
