`Jordan Rules' Go In Effect -- Pistons Vow To Cover Bull Star With Everyone

CHICAGO - The chant began early in the fourth quarter, just as the thumpless and bumpless Philadelphia 76ers were quietly folding up shop Wednesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Bulls.

It started with a few voices, then grew to about 18,676.

``We want Detroit!''

``We want Detroit!''

``We want Detroit!''

Starting today, in the first game of the conference finals, Chicago and its rowdy fans will get Detroit. The Bulls earned another shot at their Central Division rivals by drilling the Sixers, 117-99.

In last season's Eastern finals, the Pistons beat the Bulls in six games.

``The challenge of the Detroit series is immense,'' Chicago Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged after the Bulls completed a 4-1 series win. ``We have been looking forward to this all season.''

The Pistons will throw the book - the Jordan Rules - at Bulls guard Michael Jordan, who barely worked up a sweat while getting 37 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

``I expect a big difference now,'' Jordan said after making 17 of 26 shots. ``I expect the Jordan Rules.''

Piston Coach Chuck Daly once described the Jordan Rules this way: ``When he goes to the bathroom, we all follow him.'' And: ``We're going to throw 12 players and three coaches at him, with the heaviest coach last.''

Simply put, Jordan will be double- and triple-teamed.

``For us to beat them,'' Jordan said, ``our guys will have to step up and get the respect the Pistons have taken away from them by spending so much time on one guy.''

Two Jordanaires come immediately to mind: small forward Scottie Pippen, who had 29 points, and power forward Horace Grant (18). Also on the spot are point guards John Paxson and B.J. Armstrong, who combined for 14 assists.

``We have to step up our games,'' said Pippen, who will be matched against Dennis Rodman. ``At least I plan to. If they're going to double Michael, we have to make them pay.''

The Bulls certainly made the Sixers pay for not double-teaming Jordan. He averaged 44.5 points in the series' first four games - 17.0 in the fourth quarter. Neither did the Milwaukee Bucks gang up on Jordan in the first round, and they were eliminated, 3-1.

Of the Sixers, Jordan said, ``You could tell they weren't good at double-teaming because they were easy to break down. They had offensive-minded players, not defensive-minded players. It's hard to convert those offensive-minded players.''

Jordan had a jumper, a three-point shot and a jam in a 12-2 run to start the third quarter. That turned a one-point halftime deficit into an 11-point Bulls' lead, 76-65. And that was it for the Sixers, who got just 17 points - seven after the first quarter - from Charles (Thump) Barkley.

And the Sixers got 10 points and seven rebounds from former Piston Rick (Bump) Mahorn.

``It'll be Detroit in six,'' said Mahorn, who played with his sprained left knee heavily bandaged. ``It's different with them. When they go to the bench, they get players. Chicago has a good bench, but they can't go as deep as the Pistons.''

But without Mahorn, the Pistons might not intimidate the Bulls as easily as last year.

``They're may not be the same team in terms of intimidation,'' Jordan said, ``but they still have tough players in (Bill) Laimbeer and Rodman. But I don't think they're a dirty team - except for Laimbeer.''