Another stunning performance by Michael Jordan, his most productive scoring effort of the 1998 play-offs, put the Chicago Bulls two games from the National Basketball Association Finals in Chicago on Tuesday night.

After accepting his award as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, Jordan scored 41 points in a 104-98 triumph over the Indiana Pacers.

The Bulls took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, moving two victories away from the championship series as they seek their sixth title in the past eight years.

"The pressure was on us to win the first two games at home. Now the pressure is on them," Jordan said. "They have to defend home court and they are in a big hole if they lose a game."

Game three is Saturday at Indianapolis.