DENVER, Nov. 21 -- Michael Jordan scored 21 of his 31 points in the first half and Scottie Pippen added 16 as the undefeated Chicago Bulls moved a step closer to NBA history with a 110-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets Thursday night. Chicago (12-0), in the midst of a seven-game road trip, is only three wins away from the best start in NBA history. The record for most wins to start the season is 15, held by the 1948-49 Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets. 'I don't think we will go 82-0, we may go 81-1,' said Steve Kerr. 'We haven't had a tough schedule yet. We see Michael Jordan every day, so what he does doesn't amaze us anymore.' Jason Caffey's layup with 4:36 left in the game gave the Bulls their biggest lead, 104-81. Denver never got closer than 14 down the stretch. 'That was a long game with 70-something foul shots,' said Chicago coach Phil Jackson. 'I thought it was never going to be over. We were tired, but we played OK in the second half and our energy picked up.' Bryant Stith led the Nuggets with 20 points and Antonio McDyess added 16 and 11 rebounds. 'Even with their second unit on the floor in the fourth, they play together,' said Stith. '(Jordan) sets a precedent. If we just settle down and relax more, we'll be OK. It's only 12 games into the season.' The Bulls, who suffered one of their 10 losses at Denver last year, actually trailed 7-6 in the early going, but the Nuggets would never gain the lead again.
Jordan's 13 points keyed a 19-8 run to open the second quarter and make it 41-30 at 7:51. Denver countered with a 13-4 run of its own before Chicago established a 52-45 halftime lead. 'I'll talk about Michael,' said Denver coach Bernie Bickerstaff. 'He's probably the greatest player ever and he stretches out and dives for loose balls. That's why he's so great. He still has the hunger to be a champion. You've got to enjoy the way they play as a coach or a fan. They give you you're money's worth.' The Bulls then went on an 18-6 spurt to early in the second half to take a 70-53 advantage with 5:15 to go in the period.