Introducing Pregame.com's 'Legend of the Game' series. Here, we take a step back in time and revisit articles previously published on Pregame.com. Our aim is to honor the legendary games and figures that have shaped sports history and to provide our readers with a unique perspective on how these events were analyzed and discussed at the time they took place. Enjoy this journey through sports history with us!
--
1998 NBA Finals Preview: Betting Market Favors Chicago Only Slightly in the Series, and the Bulls Are 3.5-point Dogs in Game 1
(Date: June 1st, 1998)
In an exhilarating culmination to the 1997-1998 NBA season, the Eastern Conference champions, the Chicago Bulls, will face the formidable Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. This thrilling clash puts the Bulls, a dynastic powerhouse with five championship titles under their belt, against the Jazz, the exceptional team from the West, who, along with the Bulls, finished the season 62-20. Thanks to two wins over Michael Jordan and the Bulls, Karl Malone and his team this year have home court advantage, and that may make all the difference. No one on planet Earth can wait to find out.
Here in Vegas, the Bulls are -125 favorites to win the series, while the Jazz are +105, implying about a 54% chance that Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson will be hosting their 6th Larry O’Brien in 8 years. Based on the Vegas odds it is the closest Finals match-up since 1995 when the Houston Rockets upset the Orlando Magic as +130 Underdogs.
The market seems to be leaning towards the championship-proven Bulls in the series under the assumption that their experience might be the decisive factor in this even matchup. Given the implied odds of Wednesday’s Game 1 where Chicago is a +3.5 underdog – about a 60% chance of a Jazz win - there may seem to be value on the Utah Jazz to pull the minor upset. However, anyone not from Utah walking up to the window here at Caesars Palace will ask themselves ‘Do I really want to bet against Michael Jordan?’
Despite being two distinct franchises with different playoff paths, both teams have demonstrated a high level of skill and tenacity, which guarantees a thrilling and intense championship series. This comprehensive NBA Finals Preview provides an in-depth analysis of the two teams, their key players, and the factors that will decide the outcome of this highly anticipated showdown. After their unforgettable confrontation in last year’s Finals, drawing record ratings for the NBA, this is the matchup that everyone both expected and craved, and it promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
How We Got Here: Utah Jazz
Diving deeper into the journey of both teams, we witness two compelling narratives. On one hand, the Utah Jazz, led by the unstoppable duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, advanced to the Finals after first dispatching the ailing Houston Rockets in a thrilling five-game series in Round 1. They repeated the feat in a slightly more competitive than it seemed five game series vs. Rookie of the Year Tim Duncan in the Conference Semi-finals, before sweeping Shaq & the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Malone dominated the Lakers in the series scoring 30.0 points per game on better than 50% shooting from the field to go along with 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Malone’s performance in the decisive 96-92 victory over LA was nothing short of extraordinary, contributing 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists in a relentless 41 minutes.
The Jazz’s journey was punctuated by crucial contributions from role players such as Bryon Russell and Jeff Hornacek, who averaged 11 Points Per Game and 9 Points Per Game respectively during the Western Conference Finals. Utah's gritty run included victories over formidable opponents such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers.
How We Got Here: Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls, guided by the legendary Michael Jordan, have already etched their name in history by making their sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight years. This Eastern Conference powerhouse overcame significant obstacles, including an epic seven-game series with Reggie Miller & the Indiana Pacers.
Following that series, Jordan’s old-rival Larry Bird, now the coach of the defeated Indiana Pacers told the LA Times that if anyone fouled Michael Jordan the way the Bulls’ Scottie Pippen kept fouling the Pacers’ Mark Jackson, they would have been given life without the possibility of parole.
Quite a shot at the league when you think about it. And it makes sense if there were bias– we ALL wanted to see this match-up. Last year’s Finals saw nearly twice as many television watchers as the last Finals without Jordan.
Here in Vegas, we pay attention to these kinds of things. We all remember the famous no-call in last year’s Finals when Scottie Pippen grabbed the rim on that crucial Shannon Anderson missed lay-up in the closing seconds of Game 6. Against a different team, on a different night, one might imagine that goaltending gets called. But instead – Jerry Sloan was left bewildered with the Jazz being hard-done by on what ended up being the last shot of their season thanks to Tony Kukoc’s game-sealing steal. These kinds of – ‘misses’ – perhaps provide another clue why the Bulls might be favored to win this series despite Vegas giving each team an equal power rating according to the Game 1 spread, and Jazz have a formidable homecourt advantage. Maybe more than one kind of ‘Michael Jordan’ effect.
Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan faces a daunting task: devising a strategy that Nets' coach John Calipari, Hornets' coach Dave Cowens, and Pacers' coach Larry Bird could not achieve - stopping Michael Jordan. Jordan, flanked by Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, has dominated this decade, winning 25 of 27 series in the 1990s in which Michael Jordan has played. Jordan's unwavering focus might just lead Chicago to their sixth NBA championship in a decade, marking an incredible run of dominance. If successful, Jordan would secure his place as arguably the greatest player in the history of basketball.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls
Both the Jazz and Bulls have demonstrated their prowess throughout the regular season and playoffs. However, the head-to-head record indicates a slight advantage for Utah, who won both of their regular-season matchups, even winning by seven at the United Center in January. Here's a brief overview of their season stats:
Regular Season Record:
Utah Jazz: 62-20 (Ranked #1 in West)
Chicago Bulls: 62-20 (Ranked #1 in East)
Odds to Win Series:
Utah Jazz: +105 (Opening at: -105)
Chicago Bulls: -125 (Opening at: -115)
Head-to-Head Record:
Utah Jazz: 2-0 SU (2-0 ATS, +11.5 ATSm)
Chicago Bulls: 0-2
Net Rating (Point Differential Per 200 Possessions):
Utah Jazz: +7.4 (Ranked 4th in Regular Season), +7.5 (Ranked 2nd in Playoffs)
Chicago Bulls: +7.9 (Ranked 2nd in Regular Season), +7.7 (Ranked 1st in Playoffs)
Offensive Rating (Points Scored Per 100 Possessions):
Utah Jazz: 113.2 (Ranked 1st in Regular Season), 105.2 (Ranked 7th in Playoffs)
Chicago Bulls: 108.7 (Ranked 7th in Regular Season), 109.8 (Ranked 2nd in Playoffs)
Defensive Rating (Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions):
Utah Jazz: 105.9 (Ranked 17th in Regular Season), 97.7(Ranked 1st in Playoffs)
Chicago Bulls: 100.9 (Ranked 3rd in Regular Season), 102.1 (Ranked 5th in Playoffs)
Notably, the Jazz would likely have even better statistics had point guard John Stockton not missed the first month of the season due to October knee surgery. The Jazz were 51-13 after Stockton returned, compared to a relatively pedestrian 11-7 start with Howard Eisley running the pick-and-roll with Malone. Prior to the surgery, Stockton had missed only four games in his entire career. He had played every game for seven straight seasons.
Regular Season Matchups
On January 25th, the Jazz went to the House that Michael built and toppled the Bulls 101-94, cashing easily for their backers as +7-point underdogs and +250 on the moneyline.
The Jazz also prevailed in their February matchup, winning & covering as 2-point underdogs in Utah. Against the same team in the same venue, Utah is now a 3.5-point favorite hosting Chicago for Game 1, a net upgrade of 5.5 points The spread movement since then underscores the dominance the Jazz have displayed since Stockton's return.
Considering some sportsbooks opened at Utah only -3, some of that movement in the spread may be attributed to the fatigue factor for Chicago, who travel to Utah after an energy-sapping Game 7. Historical data reveals that since 1973, teams like the Bulls coming off a Game 7 against a team with more rest (i.e. not off of a Game 7) are only 19-31-1 (38%) against the spread.
After ending his MVP season in a disappointing fashion last year, losing to the Bulls in the Finals, Karl Malone dominated both matchups against Chicago this year. "The Mailman" averaged 33.5 points per game on elite 62% field goal shooting. For his part, "His Airiness", Michael Jordan averaged 36 over the course of the two losses.
Series Price Movement
Bettors have come in on the Bulls. Chicago opened as -115 favorites, but this quickly escalated to -125, as per a consensus of five sportsbooks by Pregame.com. These prices represent a drastic shift from last year when the Bulls were -600 favorites over Utah. This shift underscores the overwhelming dominance the Jazz have displayed in these playoffs, posting a stellar 11-3 SU (9-5 ATS) record. By comparison, the Bulls have dropped 4 games in these playoffs.
Betting Market for the 1998 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
Turning to the MVP race, leading the pack of course we have MJ, and Utah's Karl Malone, with odds of -110 and +150 respectively, followed by Chicago's Scottie Pippen at 12-to-1. Utah's John Stockton and Chicago's Tony Kukoc round out the top contenders at 20-to-1 and 75-to-1 respectively.
Odds for the 1998 NBA Finals MVP
CHI G, Michael Jordan: -110
UTA F, Karl Malone: +150
CHI F, Scottie Pippen: 12 to 1
UTA G, John Stockton: 20 to 1
CHI F, Tony Kukoc: 75 to 1
CHI F, Dennis Rodman: 80 to 1
UTA G, Jeff Hornacek: 150 to 1
UTA F, Byron Russell: 150 to 1
CHI G, Ron Harper: 500 to 1
CHI C, Luc Longley: 500 to 1
Game 1 Spread & Total: Chicago Bulls +3.5 @ Utah Jazz (O/U 187.5)
For Game 1, many casual NBA fans may be surprised to see the Utah Jazz are favored by -3.5 points, reflecting their recent dominance. As mentioned earlier, only a few months ago the Jazz were underdogs to these Bulls at home.
The total for the game has been set at 187.5, slightly lower than the average combined points per game for these teams in this season's playoffs. These teams' regular-season clashes saw an average combined score of 194.5, both games going over the total. The average total in those games was 191.
A lower total than their regular season matchups might have been expected. As has been the case historically, the NBA playoffs this season have featured more defensive intensity compared to the regular season. NBA teams have averaged 183.8 combined points in the post-season vs. 191.2 combined points on average in the 1997-1998 regular season.
Utah’s Potential Rest Advantage:
A unique turn of events means that the Jazz will have been off for 10 days by the time Game 1 tips off at the Delta Center. This lengthy break before the Finals has only occurred twice previously in the past two decades, with the 1996 Bulls and the 1983 Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers also enjoying 10-day breaks after sweeping their respective Conference Finals series. Historically, these extremely well-rested teams have kicked off their Finals campaigns well, going 2-0 SU & ATS in the opening game.
Interestingly, the Jazz' ' extended rest period comes as a result of the Chicago Bulls' dramatic seven-game series against the Pacers. It was the first time someone had pushed #23 to a seventh game since 1992; (of course, Jordan & the Bulls did lose before a seventh game vs. Shaq and the Orlando Magic in 1995.). This puts Utah at a seven-day rest advantage over Chicago. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, however, is cautious about this perceived advantage. Expressing concerns over the team's rhythm and conditioning, Sloan emphasized the need to maintain their intensity during the break.
"For us, my biggest concern is the rhythm but more importantly conditioning," Sloan told reporters on Friday at the Jazz's first practice since their sweep of the Lakers.
Teams with at least a five-day rest advantage heading into the Finals have gone 10-6 SU (.625) in the opening game, an auspicious sign for Utah, especially since teams with such rest advantages playing at home in Game 1 of the Finals are 8-1 SU & ATS (.889) since 1970.
Battle of the Stars
The limelight is shared by the last two NBA MVPs, both future Hall of Famers who have been instrumental in their teams' successful campaigns: Chicago's guard Michael Jordan and Utah's forward Karl Malone.
CHI G, Michael Jordan
The Chicago Bull's success can largely be attributed to the spectacular play of their superstar guard, Michael Jordan. Averaging impressive stats throughout the season, Jordan has continued to dominate in the playoffs, showcasing his remarkable scoring ability, court vision, and defensive skills. As the leading scorer for the Bulls, he will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the NBA Finals. At age 35, Michael Jordan has the highest career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) in the history of the NBA playoffs, far surpassing any player since the 1950s George Mikan's run of dominance.
Career NBA Playoff Leaders for Player Efficiency Rating (Data via Basketball Reference 1998 June Newsletter)
(Rank) Player PER
(1) Michael Jordan 28.7
(2) George Mikan 28.5
(3) Hakeem Olajuwon 26.1
(4) David Robinson 24.1
(5) Charles Barkley 24.0
(6) Dolph Schayes 23.9
(7) Jerry West 23.1
(8) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 23.0
(9) Magic Johnson 22.95
(10) Wilt Chamberlain 22.8
Jordan not only emerged as the undisputed MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals but also extended his record by marking the 27th series of his career in which he averaged 30.0 points per game or more. That is more than the next two top players in that category combined (Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had 13 and 11 such series, respectively).
UTA F, Karl Malone
In Utah, the Jazz's journey to the NBA Finals has been spearheaded by the exceptional performance of their power forward, Karl Malone. After a remarkable regular season, Malone continued his impressive play in the playoffs, displaying why he is one of the greatest power forwards of all time. The 1997 NBA MVP has managed to carry his team to an 11-3 SU (9-5 ATS) record during the 1998 Playoffs, putting up incredible stats of 26.9 PPG, 11 RPG, and 3 APG.
The Jazz's patented pick-and-roll game, led by Malone and point guard John Stockton, was instrumental in their demolition of the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers were swept 4-0, marking only the sixth sweep in the 35-year history of the Western Conference Finals.
Malone's spectacular form, particularly his dominance in the Western Conference Finals, proves that he is a formidable force to be reckoned with. As the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Malone's influence on the court will be key to the Jazz's pursuit of their first-ever NBA Championship.
Coming off his first MVP season in 1996-1997, "The Mailman" has continued to deliver consistently excellent performances, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's greats. With the 1998 NBA Finals upon us, all eyes will be on Malone to see if he can lead the Jazz to the championship that has eluded them so far.
Chicago's Supporting Cast
Beyond Michael Jordan, the Bulls will lean on the veteran experience of Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper. Both have played pivotal roles on defense in these playoffs, particularly in slowing down Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson during their challenging Eastern Conference Battle with the Indiana Pacers. While their offensive contributions have been somewhat muted, their defensive prowess has been key.
The Bulls’ insertion of 1996-1997 Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, Tony Kukoc, into the starting lineup this season highlights a possible weakness for the Bulls - a lack of scoring off the bench. Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr have shown sparks of brilliance in these playoffs, yet no Bulls reserve player has averaged more than 5 points per game during this postseason run. This could be a crucial factor in their Finals campaign.
Utah's Second Unit
One of the most significant advantages the Jazz have over their opponents is their incredible depth. Utah's second unit boasts a balanced blend of seasoned veterans like Antoine Carr, and energetic young players such as Shandon Anderson and backup point-guard Howard Eisley. This group has consistently maintained leads and kept the momentum of the game for the Jazz. This depth allows stars like Malone and Stockton to rest without sacrificing the team's performance on the court.
X-Factors
Finally, every team has its X-factor, and for the Bulls, it’s the always unpredictable Dennis Rodman. Originally a second-round pick, Rodman has become a vital element for Chicago, thanks to his legendary defensive skills and rebounding prowess. Rodman yet again this season has not been without controversy during this playoff run. According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Rodman was granted a mid-season vacation during this campaign, during which he promptly headed to Vegas and overstayed, necessitating Michael Jordan of all people to go retrieve him.
Despite his role being reduced since first signing with Chicago ahead of the 1995-1996 season, Rodman's defensive abilities against the Jazz's Karl Malone could prove to be a deciding factor in this match-up.
For Utah, the X-Factor is Byron Russell and his potential to put the brakes on Michael Jordan. Known for his trash-talking, Russell's skill at creating space on offense and making life difficult for Jordan on defense could be pivotal. If Utah plans to pull off a slight upset, Russell's contribution will be key.
Coaching Matchup & Playing Style: Phil Jackson vs. Jerry Sloan
Phil Jackson & the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls' head coach Phil Jackson - along with legendary assistant Tex Winter - has implemented an offensive system over the last decade that maximizes the talents of his star players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, while maintaining balance among the other key players. Jackson is renowned for his calm demeanor amid adversity, unflinchingly maintaining his basketball philosophy regardless of the inevitable ups and downs of an NBA game.
The Bulls' offensive approach revolves around the Triangle offense, leveraging the exceptional scoring and playmaking abilities of Jordan, and to a lesser degree, Pippen. Chicago's system emphasizes ball movement, spacing, and pre-planned off-ball cuts, allowing players like Luc Longley and Ron Harper to thrive despite their limited offensive arsenals at this point in their careers.
While the spectacle of Michael Jordan with the ball in his hands is a worldwide phenomenon, it is the Bulls' swarming defense that truly sets them apart from their competition. Anchored by Jordan, Pippen and Rodman, the Bulls over the years have muffled even the league's most potent offenses. Chicago's ability to limit the Jazz in transition will prove crucial to their success, as no team has effectively dented the Bulls' ironclad halfcourt defense of recent vintage. Nevertheless, the task of defending a versatile player like Malone and a dynamic playmaker like Stockton will once again put the Bulls' defensive prowess to the test, possibly for the last time.
Jerry Sloan & the Utah Jazz
Jerry Sloan, the Utah Jazz's long-standing head coach, is well acquainted with both the NBA Finals and the Bulls. He guided his team to the same stage last year, competing against the very team he once played for over a decade, in his home state. Known for his defensive mindset and ability to adapt to various situations, Sloan's experience in high-pressure scenarios provides the Jazz with a valuable edge. His tactical approach to neutralizing Chicago's offensive threats promises to be a fascinating aspect of the series.
Make no mistake about it: the Utah Jazz offense is centered around the Stockton-to-Malone pick-&-roll. However, outside of the basic play design, Utah's offensive approach also emphasizes ball movement and three-point shooting, a rarity in today's NBA. The Jazz's ability to execute in the half-court and capitalize on transition opportunities will be a key factor in the series.
While Utah's offense has always been steady, it's the Jazz remarkable turnaround on defense that has been the story of this season. The Jazz finished the regular season ranked 17th by defensive rating, while the team has allowed only 97.7 points per 100 possessions in the postseason, best in the league.
Utah's ability to apply relentless pressure on opposing ball handlers, coupled with their disciplined rotations and physicality, has been instrumental in their playoff success. Defending Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen will be critical in determining the outcome of the series. One question will be how much the Jazz double team MJ. Although it might seem like a sound strategy to strip the ball from the best player's grasp, we all remember the outcome for the Jazz last year when Steve Kerr seized their season with a wide-open jumper in Game 6's final moments.
Historical Context
The 1998 NBA Finals present a fascinating historical narrative, as the Chicago Bulls seek to become the first team to record six championships in eight years since the Bill Russell-led Celtics achieved this feat in the 1960s. On the other hand, the careers of Sloan, Malone & Stockton will forever be changed should they be able to topple this once-in-a-lifetime dynasty in possibly their last dance together. A victory for Chicago would solidify their status as one of the world's elite teams, not only in basketball, but in the history of athletic competition.
Final Outlook:
Given the impressive performances of both teams throughout the playoffs, the 1998 NBA Finals is poised to be a closely contested battle. While the Chicago Bulls' experience and defensive prowess make them the slight favorites, the Jazz have the homecourt advantage and the most unstoppable two-man game in the sport. Ultimately, this series has the potential to go the distance, providing basketball fans with a thrilling conclusion to the NBA season, and perhaps as well, an NBA era.
NBA Finals TV Schedule
Below is the broadcast schedule and starting times for the 1998 NBA Finals games, which will air on NBC.
Game 1 - Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 PM ET
Game 2 - Friday, June 5 at 8:30 PM ET
Game 3 - Sunday, June 7 at 8:00 PM ET
Game 4 - Wednesday, June 10 at 8:30 PM ET
*If necessary:
Game 5* - Friday, June 12 at 8:30 PM ET
Game 6* - Sunday, June 14 at 8:00 PM ET
Game 7* - Wednesday, June 17 at 8:30 PM
--
Related: 2023 NBA Finals Preview, 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 Recap: Jazz Edge Bulls in OT; Stockton Stars, Malone Struggles
Get Real-Time Updates: Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NHL & NBA Playoffs with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore
Special Offer: $25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Read More: For more articles, odds, and expert picks, check out Pregame news.