Jordan, Bulls Dismantle Bucks

March 29, 1998 / 8:00 PM EST / CBS/AP

The Milwaukee Bucks didn't seem to mind that their arena was turned into United Center North for a day.

"The fans came to see a great player and a great team," Bucks coach Chris Ford reasoned after watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dismantle his decimated team 104-87 Sunday. "I'm glad it was a packed house."

Michael Jordan scored 30 points, many of them with flashbulbs popping throughout the sold-out Bradley Center, as the Bulls stretched their winning streak to nine games.

If this is indeed Jordan's final season, then fans at the arena about evenly divided cheering for the Bulls and the Bucks wanted to make sure they captured the moment on film.

Jordan, who spent much of the second and fourth quarters on the bench, has been the object of thousands of snapshots this season during his "farewell tour."

"Flashbulbs?" Jordan joked. "Were there flashbulbs? Where?"

Everywhere.

They sparkled throughout the crowd every time Jordan touched the ball and especially when he was at the free-throw line.

He played less than 3 ½ minutes in the fourth quarter, but his consecutive fadeaway jumpers had the fans standing and cheering and focusing and clicking late in the game. The crowd began to file out after Jordan left with 1:05 left and the Bulls ahead 100-83.

Even without flu-stricken Scottie Pippen for the second straight game, the Bulls didn't need Jordan fulltime to put away the injury-decimated Bucks, who lost their 12th straight to Chicago.

"This team has always been great at compensating for lost people," Jordan said.

The Bucks, on the other hand, are too short on talent and too long on injuries to offset their ailments. Playing without Terrell Brandon (ankle), Tyrone Hill (back) and Glenn Robinson (leg), they lost for the 15th time in 17 games.

"They're missing three key starters," Jordan said. "If they had their starters, they'd be in the playoffs."

About all the Bucks had was Ray Allen, who scored 27 points and provided an entertaining matchup with Jordan.

"It's always a challenge going up against Michael because you never know what he's going to do next," Allen said. "I always have fun when I play against him. He's a great sportsman. He can be focused and get the job done but he can enjoy the game at the same time too, and put a smile on his face."

And on a lot of other faces, too.

Allen's basket at the start of the fourth quarter pulled the Bucks to 76-70, but Toni Kukoc, who scored 19, had four baskets in a 17-4 run that made it 93-74 with 4:33 left.

Allen led Milwaukee with 27 points. Michael Curry added 18 and Armon Gilliam 15.

Jordan's three-point play and fadeaway jumper over the last 30 secondof the first quarter helped the Bulls to a 27-21 lead. With Jordan on the bench to start the second period, the Bucks tied it at 27, but by the time Jordan returned with 6:43 left in the half, the Bulls were back on top.

Steve Kerr hit three straight 3-pointers over a two-minute span to help the Bulls to a 48-40 halftime lead.

Jordan answered the obligatory retirement questions after the game and gave his standard reply: "Wait and see. It's 70-30, either way."

Ford said that despite the lopsided nature of the series, he's not eager to see the Bulls break up.

"I think Michael Jordan is great for the game of basketball," Ford said. "I don't think he is physically or mentally ready to retire."

Notes: The Bucks' last victory over the Bulls was April 23, 1995. ... Luc Longley returned from a sprained left knee that caused him to miss six games. He scored 14 points for Chicago. ... Jackson said Pippen had swollen tonsils and a fever but could return to action Tuesday against Detroit. ... In case Jordan plans on truly making this his final trip to Milwaukee, a young fan had a sign that read, "Please come back, No. 23."