All Time Best Single Game Finals Performances: #5

[KM32MVP]

This was from back in June, so not sure if its posted or not....

By John Hollinger

https://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=BestFinalsGame-Individual-5

5. Karl Malone, Jazz: 1998 Finals, Game 5

MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PTS
44 17-27 0-1 5-6 9 5 1 1 1 39

Game Score: 40.8 Result: Jazz 83, Bulls 81 Series: Bulls win in 6

In the 33 Finals since the merger, this was the single best performance by a player whose team didn't win the series. Facing elimination, on the road, against one of the greatest teams of all time, Malone provided one glaring counterpoint to his less-than-scintillating playoff résumé by single-handedly dominating the Bulls.

Single-covered by all-world defender Dennis Rodman for much of the night, Malone converted an endless procession of mid-range turnaround jumpers from the left side (one of the most difficult shots in the game). Malone finished with 39 points on 17-of-27 shooting, added nine rebounds and five assists and had just one turnover.

Malone produced the second-highest Game Score in Finals history, as only Tim Duncan's 2003 annihilation of New Jersey in Game 1 ranks higher. However, we can't put Malone's performance any higher because it wasn't ultimately meaningful, as the Jazz lost Game 6 and the series. (Although Malone had a crucial turnover at the end, I should point out he played nearly as well in that contest, with 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.)

Also, this interesting tidbit from Jordan #4 (his last game in a bulls uniform)

In sheer statistical terms, this game was good but unexceptional by Jordan's lofty standards. He finished with 45 points, a jaw-dropping total for a game that ended 87-86, but shot only 15 of 35 from the field and had just one assist and one rebound.

On the other hand, it was a road closeout game, the Jazz of the mid-'90s were probably the best non-championship team in league history and Jordan owned the final minute. Additionally, this Game 6 was a bit like a Game 7 for Chicago -- Scottie Pippen had hurt his back and was essentially useless, and the rubber match would have been in Utah.

 

[Craig K. Manscill]

Thanks for posting this, KM4MVP. The Jazz were definitely a good team in the 90's, and they won a lot of games. Let's hope they can pick it up and win some more this year! I think Jefferson has a chance to be like Karl Malone, he really goes after those balls and gets a lot of rebounds. Thanks for reading.

-Craig