NEW YORK -- Michael Jordan reportedly was spotted at an Atlantic City, N.J., casino early Tuesday morning, less than 18 hours before the Chicago Bulls lost to the New York Knicks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The New York Times reported in its Thursday editions that Jordan was seen by employees and patrons at the Bally's Grand Casino as late as 2:30 a.m. EDT.
A pair of longtime Knicks fans with baseline seats heckled Jordan about his gambling exploits and claimed to have seen him at the casino tables.
Jordan scored 36 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Chicago's 96-91 loss to the Knicks that gave New York a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. He was 12-for-32 from the field and hit 11 of 13 free throws. Jordan was held to 11 points in the second half on 5-for-16 shooting and did not score over the final 2:46, when the Knicks were clinging to the lead.
Jordan could not be reached for comment, but Jerry Krause, the Bulls' vice president for basketball operations, told the newspaper, 'I can't believe that Michael would do something like that. Michael has too much respect for his team...Maybe he did go down there for a couple of hours, but Michael has a great sense and feel for his own body.'
Jordan won his seventh straight NBA scoring title this season and finished third in voting for the Most Valuable Player award.
A three-time MVP, Jordan was called to the league's New York offices last year amid reports he had written more than $150,000 worth of checks that were used to pay golf and other gambling debts in North Carolina. NBA officials took no action against Jordan.
