Eight teams have wiped out a 3-1 deficit in an NBA playoff series and come back to win, and it even happened last year, with Phoenix upending the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
But historical precedent — already unfriendly to the Bulls and their previous 3-0 hole to the Pistons — gets worse. Only two of those eight teams won a Game 5 on the road to keep their comeback alive — the 1995 Rockets and 1968 Celtics. Of greater interest: Both teams went on to NBA titles that season.
Here’s a look at those two Game 5s specifically correlating to the dire straits — down 3-1 and on the road — the Bulls must endure Tuesday in Detroit.
1995 Rockets
Game 5 result: Defeated the Suns 103-97 in Phoenix.
Skinny: On one hand, the Rockets were already defending NBA champions. On the other hand, they were on the road against the Charles Barkley-led Suns, and Clyde Drexler had the flu.
And it went into overtime. The Rockets survived thanks to Hakeem Olajuwon’s 31 points and 16 rebounds. It helped that only one Suns player who logged more than 20 minutes, Kevin Johnson, shot better than 50 percent from the floor and the Suns missed 14 free throws.
Lesson for the Bulls: Muck it up. The Rockets shot 38.4 percent, but the Suns managed just 38.7 percent efficiency, and they were enjoying the comforts of home.
1968 Celtics
Game 5 result: Defeated the 76ers 122-104 in Philadelphia.
Skinny: Defense and a dynamic scoring duo were the difference for Boston against Wilt Chamberlain-led Philadelphia. Leading by just three entering the fourth, the Celtics forced the 76ers into a 3-for-22 shooting stretch to forge a 15-point advantage that held up from there. Meanwhile, Boston relied on Sam Jones (37 points) and John Havlicek (29 points) to provide the offensive boost.
Lesson for the Bulls: Keeping it close is imperative. With nothing to lose, the Bulls can squeeze the Pistons a bit by staying in it — and then pray that a Celtics-like defensive stretch can change the series.