1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6 vs Cavaliers
The Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The teams have played each other since the Cavaliers joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1970, but the rivalry did not begin in earnest until the Bulls drafted Michael Jordan with the third overall pick in 1984. After Jordan would go on to the Washington Wizards and eventually retire, the rivalry died down, but when Cleveland picked LeBron James with the first selection in 2003, the rivalry heated up again.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Chicago Bulls won 4-2
- Location
- United Center, Chicago
- Key player
- Michael Jordan (Bulls)
- Opponent
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Season context
- 1996-97 NBA Season
- Outcome
- Clinched Eastern Conference Semifinals
Lore & Background
The rivalry is marked by iconic moments such as 'The Shot' in 1989, when Jordan hit a series-winning shot over Craig Ehlo in Game 5 of the First Round. A sequel occurred in Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals, again with Jordan hitting a series-winning shot on the same end of the Richfield Coliseum floor. The Bulls swept the Cavaliers in the 1994 First Round despite Jordan's first retirement. In the LeBron James era, the Cavaliers won their first ever series against Chicago in the 2010 First Round, and again in the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Reader's Guide
The rivalry has seen the Bulls dominate during the Michael Jordan era, winning six NBA championships with Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and three of those with Dennis Rodman. The Cavaliers took over after drafting LeBron James in 2003, winning series in 2010 and 2015. Both teams entered rebuilding stages after LeBron left Cleveland for the Lakers in 2018, with Cleveland returning to the playoffs in 2023 and the Bulls making the 2022 playoffs.
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