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Jackson cheered in Chicago return

Associated Press

CHICAGO-Phil Jackson paced the floor of the United Center as if he owned the place. Which, in many ways, he still does.

The coach who guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles returned to the scene of his greatest glories last night, this time as the opponent, as his Los Angeles Lakers beat the Bulls 88-76.

It didn't matter to Chicago fans, though. Like a jilted lover still carrying a torch, they packed the United Center for one of the few times since the Bulls went through one of the most sordid breakups in NBA history. They gave Jackson a standing ovation when he walked in, cheered him at halftime and gave him more love as he left.

The only thing the fans couldn't give him was the game, and Shaquille O'Neal and Rick Fox took care of that as the Lakers beat the Bulls in Chicago for the first time since March 11, 1995.

O'Neal went an astonishing 11-of-12 from the free throw line and scored 29. Fox scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer as part of a game-closing 26-9 run.

After back-to-back three-pointers put the Bulls up 67-62 with 8:41 left in the game, Fox hit a layup and a three to tie the game. O'Neal followed with five free throws - he didn't miss a free throw until 4:47 left in the fourth - and a baby hook gave L.A. a 74-72 lead.

As key to Chicago's championship drive, as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Jackson zoomed off on his Harley-Davidson in June of 1998, weary of the circus that surrounded the Bulls and tired of the sniping with general manager Jerry Krause. But Chicago fans still adore him, even though "retirement" gave way to the Lakers job after only a year.

Ticket scalpers were actually working the sidewalks before the game, trying to grab extra tickets. And fans made it sound like the glory days when Jackson walked on the floor, filling the arena with cheers.

Jackson acknowledged them with a little wave at halfcourt, then hugged Bulls assistant Bill Cartwright, a player on the first three championship teams.

Then Jackson went to the Lakers' bench - and that's when things really got weird. The Lakers, who have the second-best record in the league, came out looking more like the Bulls. They shot a dismal 36 percent in the first half and trailed 39-36 at halftime.

After trailing the entire third quarter, the Lakers finally took the lead thanks to - when's the last time you saw this? - O'Neal's free throws. O'Neal, who came into the game shooting just 48 percent from the line, made two free throws to give Los Angeles a 54-53 lead with 1:07 left in the third.