'96 BULLS defeat Durant's WARRIORS in Game 6 to WIN the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP - JORDAN Finals MVP 2K19

OAKLAND -- The Warriors try to ride the momentum from their Game 5 win, and try to extend the series with the home fans at their backs. On the other hand, Michael Jordan has never lost a Game 6 in the Finals, and never had to go to a Game 7, so the Bulls have some history on their side. The first quarter started slow, a pace favorable to the Bulls. The first basket was not scored until 2 minutes in - a fadeaway by Jordan over Thompson. It was a common formula for the Bulls in this series, starting with defense, and starring Jordan on offense, who would have 16 first quarter pts. Durant, however, would catch fire in the last 2 minutes, scoring 9 pts late, and the Warriors are up by 4, 26-22. In the second quarter, Kevin Durant continued with his hot streak early, scoring 14 more points in the period. He would later cool down however. THe Bulls would then make a tactical adjustment, matching up Pippen on Curry as Jordan takes a rest. He would kill Steph Curry in the post, and he would score 16 pts in this period. The Bulls would take a 4 pt lead halfway on a steal and dunk by Scottie, forcing a quick Warriors timeout. The Warriors would bounce back and reclaim the lead after a shot from Durant and a 3 for THompson, forcing the Bulls to call for their own timeout. THe Warriors would go in to the half up by 3, 56-53. Durant leads the pack with 23 pts. Jordan answered with 20 pts of his own. The third quarter saw the Warriors lead grow to 6. The Bulls tightened up defensively, and Jordan started to go to work, reclaiming the lead after another 3-pt play on Klay THompson with 7:27 to go. It would be back and forth again, and both benches this time providing the lift. Most of the Warriors starters came back at the end of the quarter led a Warriors rally, and they maintain a 2 pt lead going in to the last quarter. Three quarters down, one more to go for the Warriors. It was now or never. Cousins answered the call to begin the 4th quarter. He was attacking the basket and was being aggressive on the block. But Pippen was again matched up with Curry, and he again attacked him in the post, to help balance out Cousins offense. Kukoc also conitnued to provde the lift off the bench. Another back and forth affair ensued. Michael Jordan went back in with 8 and half minutes remaining and asserted himself offensively, helping the Bulls to a 5 point lead with 5 minutes to go. But the Bulls were in penalty early and this helped the Warriors tremendously in the end game. Jordan, however, remained aggressive, scoring a total of 14 pts in the period and seemingly willing this series to end. The Bulls defense also went up a notch in the final minutes of the game, causing costly steals. None of the Warriors stars could get into a rhythm and they would fall to match the Bulls onslaught. THe final hammer came with an emphatic alley-oop slam from Pippen to Jordan with 21 secs to go, upping their lead to 10. THe Bulls win it, 117-107. POG: None other than Michael Jordan who had 49 pts, 4 rebs, 10 assts and 3 stls. Pippen came up big this game and made up for a dismal Game 5, being the second anchor on offense with 27 pts. He also had 6 assts and 3 stls. Kukoc again had a strong game off the bench with 17 pts, 4/7 from 3. Rodman had a big game on the boards with 17 rebs. Durant finished with 30 pts , Klay Thompson had 20. Curry struggled once again against the Bulls D, finishing with 17 pts on 5/17 shooting. He did dish out 14 assts. #NBAFInals #whoisthegreatest #NBA2K #2K19 #2K20 #MichaelJordan #bullsvswarriors #kevindurant #scottiepippen # dennisrodman #classicteams #greatestteam