Jordan's late score lifts Chicago to sixth title

In what might have been the last and most dramatic moment of his amazing career, Michael Jordan lifted the Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA title with a performance for the ages.

Jordan scored the last of his 45 points in Salt Lake City on Sunday with a 17-foot jump shot with five seconds remaining, giving the Bulls an 87-86 victory over Utah and a third consecutive National Basketball Association crown.

"Of all the championships we have won, this was the toughest," Jordan said. "When I saw the moment of opportunity, I took advantage. And I never doubted myself. I never doubted the whole game."

The Bulls captured the best-of-seven finals 4-2, the same margin by which they beat Utah in last year's finals, and Jordan was unanimously named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals for the sixth time.

"I think it's the best performance I have seen in a critical game and a critical situation," Chicago coach Phil Jackson said.

Jordan, who is considering retirement, was forced to carry the scoring load for Chicago because Scottie Pippen struggled with back pain. Having played more minutes than any season in his career, Jordan pressed on.

He drove for a basket with 37 seconds remaining to pull Chicago to 86-85, then stole the ball from Utah's Karl Malone. "Karl never saw me coming and I was able to knock the ball away," Jordan said.

Seconds later, Jordan sank the winning basket, one of the most memorable of a legendary career.

"It's part of that Zen Buddhism stuff," Jordan said. "Once you get in the moment, you know you are there. Things start to move slowly. You see the court very well. And I saw that moment."

Utah had one last chance but John Stockton, whose three-pointer with 41 seconds remaining had given Utah an 86-83 lead, missed a three-pointer in the final seconds.

The match brought back memories of Jordan's heroics while he was ill in Salt Lake City last year in game five of the finals, when he lifted Chicago in a match which proved a turning point.

Denying doubters made this title sweet for Jordan. The Bulls lost twice to Utah this season, and lost the home-court advantage in the finals as a result.

"That was part of the challenge," Jordan said. "In the five before everybody predicted us. It was a hands-down situation. I was more competitive than I ever was because I wanted to win more than I ever did."

Chicago's celebration had a hint of sadness due to uncertainty over the club's future, with Pippen looking at leaving, Jordan considering retirement and Jackson not planning to return.

Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Jerry Krause evaded the question after the game when asked if they would attempt to re-sign Pippen.

Jordan held six fingers in the air and hugged Pippen and Jackson after the final buzzer, then said he must decide his future in the next few months. He added he was open to returning. "I would love for that to happen."

Utah coach Jerry Sloan said Jordan deserved every credit for his final basket. "Great players make those kinds of plays. We have to live with that."

Malone, who led Utah with 31 points, said: "We fought hard. We did a good job. It was a tough loss for us."