Report: Jordan at Casino Night Before Game

CHICAGO —  Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls spent a late night at an Atlantic City, N.J., casino before his team played the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday, according to a published report.

The New York Times said in today’s editions that Jordan was spotted at Bally’s Grand by employees and guests. Some reports placed Jordan at the casino as late as 2:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday. The game began at 8 p.m.

Atlantic City is about 140 miles from Manhattan and about a 2 1/2-hour drive.

“I can’t believe that Michael would do something like that,” Jerry Krause, the Bulls’ vice president for basketball operations, was quoted as saying. “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.”

The Bulls lost to the Knicks, 96-91, and trail the best-of-seven series, 2-0. Jordan scored 36 points but made only 12 of 32 shots and had only 11 points in the second half.

The Bulls were off Wednesday, and Jordan and Coach Phil Jackson were not available for comment.

Jordan was often at casinos in Monte Carlo last summer as the U.S. Olympic team trained for the Barcelona Games.

Last year the NBA called Jordan to its New York offices to discuss checks he had written totaling $165,000 that were used to pay debts arising from his gambling on golf and poker. The league found no reason to discipline him.