JORDAN MAKES JAZZ SICK WITH GUTSY EFFORT

Because of a production error, this story didn’t appear in our “23 FOR 23” special section Sunday. The Sun-Times regrets the error.

Originally published June 12, 1997. SALT LAKE CITY — So much for the Bulls being in trouble, so much for the Utah Jazz being invincible on its home court, so much for the Bulls possibly seeing their dynasty end on a bitter note.

Thanks to another legendary performance from Jordan, the Bulls once again are in a commanding position in the NBA Finals after a 90-88 victory Wednesday night in a thrilling Game 5 at the Delta Center.

After snapping Utah’s home winning streak at 23 games, the Bulls returned home with a 3-2 lead and can close out the bestof-seven series in Game 6 Friday night at the United Center and earn their fifth NBA title in the last seven years.

The day got off to a terrible start when Jordan woke up with a stomach illness. He skipped the team’s shootaround in the morning and spent much of the day in bed.

‘‘I’ve played many seasons with Michael, and I’ve never seen him as sick,” Scottie Pippen said. “It was to the point where I didn’t think he was going to be able to put his uniform on.”

Jordan, though, dressed, played 44 minutes and pumped in a game-high 38 points on 13for-27 shooting. And although his legend doesn’t need any enhancing, Jordan completed the storybook performance by hitting the game-winning basket on a three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.

Jordan might have lost the NBA’s regular-season most valuable player award to Utah’s Karl Malone, but he’s well on his way to winning the Finals MVP award to go along with another championship.

Jordan spoke only briefly while leaving the arena.

“I feel better [now] that we won,” he said. “I endured it, and it went to a good cause, and we won.

‘‘Now we want to go home and accomplish what we want to accomplish: get one win.”

How was he feeling during the game?

‘‘Very queasy, low on energy,” Jordan said. “Once I got out there and started sweating, I was out there and I really didn’t want to sit down.”

AP An ailing Michael Jordan falls into Scottie Pippen’s arms during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Jordan scored 38 points in the Bulls’ 90-88 victory.