In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets, 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round, defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 78–76, and then defeated the Indiana Pacers, 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advance to the NBA Finals. The Bulls had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA. Despite the slow start, with the help of Scottie's return which was limited to just 44 games, the Bulls would post a 13-game winning streak between March and April, and still finish first place in the Central Division and Eastern Conference with a 62–20 record. Also in early March, the team re-signed former Bulls reserve forward Dickey Simpkins, who was previously released by the Warriors, and played in the final 21 games of the regular season. Vaughn would only play just three games with the Bulls before being waived on March 2. At midseason, the team traded Jason Caffey to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for David Vaughn. Despite the injuries, the Bulls held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break. However, three-point specialist Steve Kerr went down with a knee injury in January, and played just 50 games. Without Pippen, the Bulls started with a slow 9–7 record in November, but then would go on a 15–4 record until he returned in January. However, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen would miss the first half of the season due to an injured toe on his left foot sustained from the 1997 NBA Playoffs. During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Scott Burrell from the Golden State Warriors, and signed free agent Joe Kleine.
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