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Knicks: 3 reasons New York was Michael Jordan’s toughest rival

By Jeffrey Bellone

1993: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (right) works against guard John Starks of the New York Knicks during the Eastern Conference final at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dani
1993: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (right) works against guard John Starks of the New York Knicks during the Eastern Conference final at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dani /
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Michael Jordan (Jonathan Daniel /Allsport) /

Forcing a Game 7

Before the Knicks forced a Game 7 against Chicago in the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls hadn’t lost more than one game in a series over their previous five series wins, including their first championship in 1991.

In 1991, Jordan led the Bulls to his first Larry O’Brien trophy with an amazing 14-2 playoff record. The 67-15 team in 1991-92 looked just as powerful, sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round before meeting the rugged Knicks.

Facing a 3-2 series deficit, the Knicks rallied behind a charged Madison Square Garden crowd to force a decisive game in Chicago. And they did it with Patrick Ewing in pain for much of the second half after spraining his ankle.

Of course, the Bulls would ultimately prevail in ’92, but that series is the only series, other than the Bulls’ seven-game fight with Indiana in 1997-98, when a Jordan-led Bulls team was forced to play in a do-or-die game during their championship run.

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