CHICAGO -- Paul Graham's two free throws with 56.7 seconds left Saturday night Frgave the Atlanta Hawks a 100-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls, spoiling the two-time defending champions' ring celebration.
Dominque Wilkins scored 33 points and Kevin Willis added 26 to help the Hawks end an eight-game losing streak against the Bulls and win at Chicago Stadium for the first time since Dec. 13, 1988. Atlanta had last beaten the Bulls Jan. 18, 1991 at the Omni.
The Bulls battled back from a 22-point first-half deficit to take a 99-98 lead on a jumper by Scottie Pippen with 1:20 remaining. But Graham, who made a key defensive play on Michael Jordan down the stretch, was fouled in the lane and sank two foul shots. The game ended when Atlanta controlled a jump ball with one second remaining.
Jordan led all scorers with 35 points and 11 assists and Pippen contributed 28 points for the Bulls, who were presented with their 1991- 92 championship rings in a festive pregame ceremony. The Bulls, who opened the season with a victory at Cleveland Friday night, were 36-5 at Chicago Stadium last season.
The Bulls, who trailed by 12 points entering the final period, closed within 93-90 on a fastbreak slam by Pippen. Atlanta responded on a Wilkins follow and a three-point play by Graham to open the lead back up to eight. But Chicago scored the next nine points, including Pippen's jumper that gave the Bulls their first lead since the opening quarter. Pippen had four points and Jordan had a three-point play during the spurt.
The Hawks scored the first 14 points of the second quarter to open up a 42-20 lead on Willis' 19-foot jumper at the 9:21 mark. Duane Ferrell had 6 points during the run, which featured three dunks and two layups.
The Bulls, who shot just 43 percent in the first half, compared to 61 percent by the Hawks, climbed back into the game with a 12-4 spree midway through the period, pulling within 48-34 on a 17-footer by Jordan. The margin remained 14 points at halftime thanks to a dunk by Chicago's Horace Grant with 5 seconds left in the half. Wilkins scored 20 points and Kevin Willis 16 to pace the Hawks in the first half, while Jordan led the Bulls with 20.
