Pass Master

Utah made a key defensive switch in that game as well: The 6'4" Hornacek , who had guarded Jordan (6'6") in the first two games, defended against Pippen (6'7"), while the 6'7" Russell tried his hand against Jordan . While this new wrinkle gave Jordan a bigger defender to deal with, Hornacek was able to survive the resulting matchup with the taller, more athletic Pippen, who had only 13 points through the first three quarters, largely because of a sore left foot.

Even with all the changes, the Jazz could not have won Game 3 without Malone , who had 37 points and 10 rebounds. After two subpar games in Chicago , he was in danger of becoming the series' tragic figure, of culminating 12 years of striving to reach the NBA Finals stage by blowing his lines once he got there. It wasn't surprising, then, that he felt the need to clear his mind before Game 3. He slipped on a black muscle shirt, climbed aboard one of his Harley-Davidsons and headed out on the highway. In an effort to relax he took a roundabout route to the arena, arriving about 40 minutes later than usual—but still more than two hours before tip-off. "Sometimes when things get a little tough, I just do that," he said afterward. "It's just good being outdoors. Everybody in America has been great, sending me letters [of encouragement], but I just needed that Harley ride today."

Stockton 's preferred mode of transportation, not surprisingly, isn't nearly as flashy. After the game on Sunday he drove his Chevy Suburban out of the Delta Center parking lot and through a gap in a group of Jazz fans who had waited to cheer for him. He gave a wave and a slightly embarrassed smile, and as he drove off, someone yelled out, "Hey, John, we believe!" Stockton probably didn't hear it, but then, he probably didn't need to.