Pistons roadblock (19871990) Jordan led the league in scoring again in the 198788 season, averaging 35 0 !!

g on 53 5" shooting#1$% and &on his 'irst league ()P *&ard +e &as also na,ed the -e'ensive Pla.er o' the /ear, as he had averaged 1 0 blocks and a league high 3 10 steals !er ga,e #31% 1he 2ulls 'inished 5033,#30% and ,ade it out o' the 'irst round o' the !la.o''s 'or the 'irst ti,e in Jordan4s career, as the. de'eated the 5leveland 5avaliers in 'ive ga,es #33% +o&ever, the 2ulls then lost in 'ive ga,es to the ,ore e6!erienced -etroit Pistons,#35% &ho &ere led b. 7siah 1ho,as and a grou! o' !h.sical !la.ers kno&n as the 82ad 2o.s8 7n the 198889 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 33 5 !!g on 53 8" shooting 'ro, the 'ield, along &ith 8 r!g and 8 assists !er ga,e (a!g) #1$% 1he 2ulls 'inished &ith a $735 record,#30% and advanced to the 9astern 5on'erence :inals, de'eating the 5avaliers and ;e& /ork <nicks along the &a. 1he 5avaliers series included a career highlight 'or Jordan &hen he hit 1he =hot over 5raig 9hlo at the bu>>er in the 'i'th and 'inal ga,e o' the series #33% +o&ever, the Pistons again de'eated the 2ulls, this ti,e in si6 ga,es,#35% b. utili>ing their 8Jordan ?ules8 ,ethod o' guarding Jordan, &hich consisted o' double and tri!le tea,ing hi, ever. ti,e he touched the ball #3% 1he 2ulls entered the 198990 season as a tea, on the rise, &ith their core grou! o' Jordan and .oung i,!roving !la.ers like =cottie Pi!!en and +orace @rant, and under the guidance o' ne& coach Phil Jackson Jordan averaged a league leading 33 0 !!g on 53 0" shooting, to go &ith 0 9 r!g and 0 3 a!g#1$% in leading the 2ulls to a 5537 record #30% 1he. again advanced to the 9astern 5on'erence :inals beating the 2ucks and Philadel!hia 70ers en route +o&ever, des!ite !ushing the series to seven ga,es, the 2ulls lost to the Pistons 'or the third consecutive season #35%