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The two greatest duos in the NBA met in back to back Finals in 1997 and 1998. Throughout the decade, the Utah Jazz as led by [[John Stockton]] and [[Karl Malone]] struggled unsuccesfully to win a conference title while the Chicago Bulls led by [[Michael Jordan]] and [[Scottie Pippen]] had already won 4. In '97, despite a widespread belief that Jordan should have won the MVP title, Malone was heralded as the leagues Most Valuable Player. Though Malone led his Jazz to the best record in the West, second best record in the league (behind Chicago), and to a conference championship, Utah's appearance in the finals against the defending champion Bulls was considered little more than a formality. After dropping the first two games to Chicago, the Jazz made a strong comeback in games 3 and 4. With Jordan suffering a stomach virus in game 5, the Jazz seemed poised to take a series lead, but instead were treated to a legendary Jordan performance as he fought the flu and the Jazz to regain the series lead. A game winning shot from [[Steve Kerr]] in game 6 gave the Bulls their much-expected 5th title. Jordan redeemed his MVP loss with the Finals MVP trophy.
The Jazz energized themselves to square off against the Bulls for the following finals. The Jazz now matched the Bulls for the best record in the 1998 season, but showed their improvement by beating Chicago in both of their regular season match-ups. In the second game, the Jazz overcame an early 41-17 deficit and beat the Bulls in Salt Lake City. In a year where Malone was the more obviously deserving of the MVP award, he lost it to Jordan. A complete reversal of the MVP situation of a year prior, the Jazz looked forward to a reversal of the results in the Finals as
Yet that was the best the series would look for the Jazz as the Bulls surged back by winning the next three games and taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Game two will always be remembered by the "Rebound" as Steve Kerr rebounded his own miss and fed a streaking Jordan on a layup late in the fourth quarter. Michael was fouled on the play, converted the three point play to give the Bulls a two point lead that they never relinquished in stealing this pivotal game, 93-88. This surge included an embarassing game 3 for the Jazz in which after 4 quarters, Utah scored only 54 points (including only a Finals' low 9 points in the fourth quarter) in a 42 point loss, suffering the worst beating in a NBA Finals game, 96-54. Though making a stand at the United Center in game 5 to avoid elimination 83-81. Karl Malone scored a game high 38 points, helping the Jazz overcome a 36-30 halftime deficit. In the end, it would be Jordan who would bring the rivalry, Utah's title hopes, and the Bulls dynasty to an end in Game 6. The incomparable Jordan made a play on the defensive end, making the game winning steal from Malone and making the game winning shot 17 foot jumper over Bryon Russell at the other end with 5.1 seconds left in the game. Stockton could not leave Steve Kerr to double MJ as he remembered when Kerr made a straight-on 18 foot jumper in the 1997 NBA Finals. This play quieted one of the loudest arenas in the NBA at that time. When John Stockton's three point jumper was partially grazed by Ron Harper and bounced off the front of the rim, MJ held aloft the five fingers of his right hand and the forefinger of his left hand signifying the sixth title the Bulls had won.
==[[Chicago Bulls]] vs. [[Detroit Pistons]]==
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