The NBA Belt · reign 2,031
Chicago Bulls
Took the belt from Charlotte Hornets, 103–100, on February 11, 1997. Lost it to Cleveland Cavaliers, 73–70, on February 27, 1997.
6Defenses
16Days
71stReign for the franchise
+1Closest call · Feb 14, 1997
16.2Average winning margin
188thLongest of 3,250 reigns, by days
109thMost defenses of 3,250 reigns
Defended against
HawksMagicNuggetsWashington BulletsWarriorsTrail Blazers
The season
- 1996–97: they had the best record (69–13–0); they won the NBA title while holding the belt; 8 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 33 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most points for Chicago Bulls across the 8 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | PTS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | 246 | 8 |
| 2 | Scottie Pippen | 173 | 8 |
| 3 | Toni Kukoc | 103 | 8 |
| 4 | Ron Harper | 64 | 8 |
| 5 | Luc Longley | 62 | 8 |
Every game of the reign
margins from Chicago Bulls’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,602 | Feb 11, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Charlotte Hornets 103–100 Game → | +3 | Title change |
| 4,603 | Feb 14, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Atlanta Hawks 89–88 | +1 | Defense |
| 4,604 | Feb 16, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Orlando Magic 110–89 | +21 | Defense |
| 4,605 | Feb 18, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Denver Nuggets 134–123 | +11 | Defense |
| 4,606 | Feb 21, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Washington Bullets 103–99 | +4 | Defense |
| 4,607 | Feb 22, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Golden State Warriors 120–87 | +33 | Defense |
| 4,608 | Feb 24, 1997 | Chicago Bulls beat Portland Trail Blazers 116–89 | +27 | Defense |
| 4,609 | Feb 27, 1997 | Cleveland Cavaliers beat Chicago Bulls 73–70 Game → | −3 | Title change |