Jordan got help from the twin towers down low, captain Duncan (16 points, 15 rebounds) of the St. Louis Sting and the Boston Braves' Moses Malone (15 points, 18 rebounds). But the big difference was Jordan - who didn't crack the Top 10 in league scoring until midway through the season (he's now 8th) - being more selfish.

​

It sounds like an odd praise, but in Jordan's case, it's a plus. He has been criticized for not taking control of San Francisco's offense as much as expected, a criticism he's shrugged off, saying he has plenty of talent around him, including Carmelo Anthony, who's having a terrific year.

Here, though, Jordan took the most shots (18) and went 12-of-18 from the field, at times carving through Havlicek and company's defense like a hot knife through butter.

"Everyone knows his talent," Duncan said. "Glad he was on our side."

That ends today, though, as Duncan's St. Louis Sting hold the 3rd of 4 Western Conference playoff spots, 3 1/2 games ahead of Jordan's Seawolves, who have won their last 3.

"This was fun and I'm honored to take home the MVP," Jordan said postgame. "But my job is to bring San Francisco a championship. That's the focus.

​

The Indianapolis Racers' Karl Malone led the way for Havlicek's squad, which opened up in a 10-0 deficit. Malone scored 16 points, adding 11 boards in the losing effort.

 

The league's leading scorer, and lead MVP candidate, Bob McAdoo of the Kansas City Cobras, scored only 6 points, making the only three shots he took in 22 minutes of action.

"Conserving energy, man," McAdoo said postgame. "Playoffs around the corner."

The Cobras are a game back of San Antonio in the fight for the Western Conference top-seed.

The preceding night saw Stephen Curry of the Houston Drillers win the 3-point shooting contest, while Vince Carter of the Las Vegas Rollers won the Slam Dunk contest.