On this day: Michael Jordan scores 64 points in loss to Orlando Magic

Michael Jordan was sensational with 64 points, but it was not enough against Shaq and the Magic.

Every true Chicago Bulls fan remembers Michael Jordan's 69-point masterpiece on March 28, 1990. It's a fantastic stat made even greater by the fact that His Airness came away with a 117-113 victory on Cleveland's home floor. However, the second-highest-scoring game of Jordan's career is much less talked about. 

Hosted Shaq and the Magic

On January 16, 1993, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Orlando Magic, led by a then-rookie Shaquille O'Neal. The Magic just lost to the Bulls, 122-106, on their home court a few days before and wanted revenge. Orlando eventually got their vengeance as O'Neal led them to a 128-124 overtime victory, thanks to an incredible performance of 29 points, 24 rebounds, and five blocked shots.

Jordan was just as magnificent, if not even more, in this game. His Airness went off for 64 points on 27-of-49 shooting and added six rebounds and five steals. However, while the Magic got plenty of help from the likes of Scott Skiles (31 points and 10 assists) and Nick Anderson (18 points), the other Bulls players fell short. Scottie Pippen had just 17 points, while Horace Grant managed a mere 12.

Frustrated with the loss

Anyone who knows Jordan's reputation is well aware of how much winning meant to him. After the loss, and despite his stellar individual performance, Jordan was still clearly frustrated with the result. During a post-game interview, he said:

"The points don't make a difference to me," Jordan said. "It's just wasted energy in a sense because we didn't finish the game the way we should have."

Jordan was particularly upset with the turnover he committed late in the fourth quarter with the Bulls up by six. As Orlando was pressing, he attempted an ill-advised crosscourt pass to Bill Cartwright that was picked off. The Magic eventually outscored them 7-1 in that stretch to force overtime.

"If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would have taken the foul instead of passing to the bigger guy," Jordan concluded.