Isiah Thomas (30pts, 12ast, 7reb) - Payback Performance vs. Bulls (1987)

March 13, 1987 - Just nine days after Michael Jordan came into the Pontiac Silverdome and dropped a 61-spot in a 125-120 overtime win, Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas returned volley in classic Isiah fashion, finishing with 30 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds in 100-99 comeback win in Chicago. This time, while Thomas picked his spots and executed (shooting 13-of-21 from the floor), it was Jordan who struggled, swarmed by multiple Pistons defenders all evening while hitting just 7-of-22 attempts from the floor, ending the night 10 points below his season average.

Thomas would go on to lead the Pistons to their first 50-win season in well over a decade. Alas, both the Pistons and Bulls would run into the same roadblock. After sweeping Chicago in the first round, the Boston Celtics needed seven games and a small miracle (Bird's Game 5 steal) to send the Pistons packing the Eastern Conference Finals. It would be Boston's last dance before ceding the floor to Chicago and Detroit moving forward.

[frandavilacardenes]

Love when Isiah showed his talents in Chicago against the MJ's Bulls.

[pacmandeck]

kinda sad the new generations of basquetball fans only know him for hes commentaries on jordan sheeesh he was an absolute beast definitely one of the most underrated players ever 🔥🔥

[rvk]

At 1:57 when Isiah knocks the ball away from Jordan on the break there is a cool puts his hand out for Isiah to slap him five giving him credit for the good play I assume.

[Riles]

It’s weird that Zeke and MJ are carrying a feud into their 60s when if you look at footage and pictures back in their young playing days, it didn’t seem like they had any issue with each other. Even when they were on the same All-Star team, what’s crazy is that they had a naturally great chemistry on the court. Isiah was such an outstanding player and competitor. It’s a shame that the focus and narrative around him today isn’t more on that than anything else.

[jeffvaliton]

Amazing. The pass he sneaks over to vinnie under the hoop by 2 defenders dropped my jaw.

[neophyte]

ISIAH ONE OF THE BADDEST EVER!!! TREMENDOUS POINT

[frandavilacardenes]

Oh! And Laimbeer nailing the coffin... and MJ missing the clutch... priceless.

[kingdomthinker]

It is crazy that most of you pistons and bulls fans are members of the AARP club now and you're still feuding with one another. 😂🏀

[TrideepNagg]

How the tf did a 6’1 guard managed to pissed of the entire to the point they didn’t want him on the dream team. Isiah was the best!

[jbl]

Zeke was fast this Gen Z just don't know..This was Steph 35yrs ago seems like yesterday too wierd..Would love to see these 2 battle one on one Zeke in his prime shhhh...ill 🤒 ill stick with the OG Bad Boy himself on this one Look at Stephs face anyhow 😂

[EFunkRock]

The Bird steal was Game 5, not Game 6.

[Maq]

Zeek was the first point guard that had handles

[crawford]

I wish someone have the full game of this game

[slasher.]

Classic Channel 50 days .
The reason the Bulls lost this game was because they didn't give the ball to their high scoring forward Charles (got my ass kicked by casino cops) Oakley.

[slasher.]

People talking about Jordan never having no talent around him.
He had the legendary Grandville Waiters, a guy who was George Mikan's teammate in his rookie season as well as Jordan's teammate his rookie season.

[moneymoney]

Mj missing in the clutch the media wants u to think he never missed 😂😂

[BATMANZ]

WE HAD A 'MIKE LIL MIKE ZEEK'😮🎉..BATMANZ 1GOD

[yepyep]

Jordan and Thomas same personality That's the problem Thomas strips him Jordan reached back for five on the slide zeek gave it!! Zeek would hate Jordan to if he was 6'6" with Athleticism and lost no matter what for 4 years!!

[Jose-syje]

The Bulls only started winning once the big teams were past their prime. Unfortunately there were no great teams in the 90s besides the Bulls.

[briandenapoli]

Very rare jordan mistake had more time to drive 5 more feet, possibly get fouled like laimbeer