Clippers Lose by 34 Points, 114-80 : Jordan Scores 30 in Three Quarters to Spark Bulls’ Rout

CHICAGO —  For the first time this year, the Chicago Bulls blew an opponent off the court.

The 34-point victory margin, a 114-80 shellacking of the Clippers Tuesday night, was Chicago’s biggest winning margin since it beat Houston by 53 points on Feb. 2, 1983.

“But, remember, we have to play the Clippers again in Los Angeles (March 19), and they’re a much better team at home,” said Michael Jordan, who scored 30 points in three quarters. He scored 18 in the second quarter, and Chicago coasted the rest of the way.

“Not only did we possess that killer instinct for the first time this season, but we matched last year’s victory total--30--a victory in itself,” Chicago Coach Doug Collins said.

“With 26 games still to go, I’m hoping this team will pick up on its past mistakes.”

Clipper Coach Don Chaney was not too pleased with his team.

“We played terrible. We didn’t play a physical game, and we weren’t alert defensively. We played weak. Once we got the ball inside, we couldn’t muscle it in or get off a second shot.”

With the Bulls leading, 36-30, early in the second quarter, Jordan came off the bench to score 11 straight points and lead a Chicago surge that resulted in a 55-36 lead.

After taking a 59-42 lead at halftime, the Bulls got 12 points from John Paxson and 6 from Gene Banks to lead, 85-59, after three quarters.

John Paxson added 16 points for Chicago. Darnell Valentine scored 18 points to pace the Clippers (10-45).

Despite connecting on only 6 of 19 third-quarter shots, Chicago outscored Los Angeles, 16-4, in the final 5:43 of the period.