1995-96 72-Win Season Record

Lore & Background

The Bulls set the record for most wins in an NBA regular season with 72 wins. The 2015–16 Golden State Warriors later set a new milestone by finishing with a 73–9 regular season record, but did not win the NBA championship. The Bulls are the only team in NBA history to win more than 70 games and an NBA title in the same season. The Bulls had the best team offensive rating and the best team defensive rating in the NBA, and are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.

In Their Own Story

The chill of a January night outside couldn't dampen the furnace inside the United Center. Michael Jordan, eyes locked on the rim, dribbled at the top of the key, the crowd's roar rising to a fever pitch as he drove into the teeth of the defense. He drew two defenders, the paint collapsing like a house of cards, before flicking a no-look pass to Scottie Pippen in the corner. The clock seemed to freeze as Pippen released the ball; it arced perfectly through the swaying lights and shattered the net with a clean *swish*. For a split second, the opposing bench went silent, then erupted in disbelief. It wasn't just a three-pointer; it was a single brushstroke on a canvas that would become the greatest season in NBA history.

Reader's Guide

The Bulls posted a league-best 39–2 home record at the United Center. Their 33 road wins were the most in NBA history until the 2015–16 Warriors won 34 road games. The season was the best 3-loss start in NBA history at 41–3 (.932). The Bulls' started the regular season 37–0 at home, part of a then-NBA-record 44-game winning streak that included games from the 1994–95 regular season.

Did You Know?

• The Bulls became the first NBA team to ever win 70 regular season games.
• Michael Jordan averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game and was named NBA Most Valuable Player.
• Dennis Rodman averaged 5.5 points and 14.9 rebounds per game.
• The Bulls swept the Miami Heat in the first round, defeated the New York Knicks in five games, swept the Orlando Magic in the conference finals, and beat the Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the NBA Finals.
• The 1995–96 Bulls have the best combined regular and postseason record in NBA history at 87–13 (.870).