You are looking at a ticket stub for the regular season game between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics which took place on March 22, 1995 at the Boston Garden.

Before the season began, the Celtics scheduled this game to include the retirement of the jersey of fallen team leader Reggie Lewis.  This would also mark the final game between the Bulls and Celtics in the old Boston Garden, and the site of Michael Jordan's record 63-point playoff game in 1986.

Seemingly otherworldly forces stepped in and changed the context of this matchup.  Michel Jordan un-retired via a faxed memo, stating "I'm back" just a week prior to this game.

Michael Jordan returned to the NBA wearing a new number, 45, which he wore for a grand total of 17 regular season games.  As someone who does not have any rooting interest in the Bulls and who loved the 1986-90 high flying era of Jordan, I remember thinking the 1993 playoff Jordan was the most unstoppable player I had ever seen.  He was at the apex of his career and in his most dominant form.  As I aged, I learned that I could not blame him if the lack of a challenge (ahem) led him to his first retirement.  I remember seeing him return and thinking he is a little rusty.  It didn't matter, the Bulls went 13-4 in those 17 games, and all that did was set up the next three seasons of championship Bulls basketball.  

This was Jordan's second game wearing 45, his first game where he looked more like the Jordan of old, and his first win since returning to the NBA.

Here is an excellent account of the game from AP:

"Michael Jordan seems to be getting the hang of this new basketball thing.

There was that silky smooth jumper quietly rippling through the net. There was the slam dunk, a loud reminder of his ability to soar over all opponents. And there was that no-look pass to Scottie Pippen.

There were, simply, signs that the Jordan who dominated basketball for so many years may not be far from dominating again.

Three days after missing 21 of 28 shots in his return to the NBA after a 21-month absence, Jordan made his first six shots and scored 27 points in 26 minutes as the Chicago Bulls cruised past the Boston Celtics, 124-107, Wednesday night.

"I was a little more relaxed. There wasn't as much fanfare as the first game," he said of the 103-96 overtime loss at Indiana. "Hitting my first jump shot was nice... It gave me momentum." 

Jordan was perfect on his first six shots, all jumpers, and had a role in a Bulls victory for the first time since June 20, 1993, the day they won their third straight NBA title. 

As in the old days, it was his team's biggest role. 

"Once he gets himself going, obviously the team's going to focus on him," said B.J. Armstrong, one of three current Bulls who played with Jordan before his temporary retirement to try his hand at baseball. 

While Jordan played the way fans remember him, the Celtics presented a flattering portrait of the Reggie Lewis that their fans would like to remember. 

His No. 35 was retired during a 26-minute ceremony after two weeks of newspaper reports indicating he used cocaine. But the emphasis Wednesday was on his on-court and off-court accomplishments in six years with the team. 

His widow. Donna Harris-Lewis, read the capacity crowd her own poem, which said, "Character is one thing that never dies. Let's not believe these harmful lies." 

Boston coach Chris Ford said the fans, who applauded several times during the ceremony, "acted just like I thought they would." 

Unfortunately for the Celtics, Jordan played like they feared he would. "Michael made the night all the better for the fans," Ford said. "They enjoyed it. We, as a team, didn't enjoy him that much." 

Not even three quick fouls that sent him to the bench just 4:38 into the game could ruin his night.

Jordan made 9 of 17 shots and all eight of his foul shots. He had three rebounds, three assists and two steals. His most eye-catching pass came when he looked away and fed Pippen for a driving layup that made the score 53-39 with 4:29 left in the half. 

"That typified my relationship with Scottie," Jordan said. "He knew where I was going to give him the ball." 

Pippen added 18 points and Toni Kukoc 16 for Chicago, which led by at least 10 points throughout the last three quarters. 

Boston was led by Sherman Douglas with 23 points, Dominique Wilkins with 20 points and Derek Strong with 16 rebounds. 

"We had a big crowd at the Garden to honor Reggie but we didn't show the same enthusiasm on the court," said Boston rookie Eric Montross, who, like Jordan, played at North Carolina. "He's only one of a few players who could get into playing shape so quickly." 

The Bulls led, 69-54, at halftime and continued their domination after the ceremony in which Lewis' number was raised to the rafters. 

Jordan had made 6 of 9 shots in the first half. Then he sank his first of the second half on his only dunk, giving the Bulls a 73-57 lead in their last regular-season game at Boston Garden. 

For most of the game, the capacity crowd was subdued. But when Jordan touched the ball, flashbulbs would sparkle throughout the ancient arena as the fans finally had an exciting event to savor during a disappointing season in which the Celtics are struggling to make the playoffs.

But they lost for the eighth time in nine games. The" Bulls won for the fourth time in five games and the first since Jordan returned to the sport he once ruled. 

Jordan scored Chicago's first seven points on a 15-footer from the right, a 3-pointer from the left and a 15-footer from the left wing on his first three shots. 

But he left the game with three fouls and with 7:22 left in the first quarter and Chicago ahead, 15-14. He didn't come back until 6:44 remained in the half and by that time the Bulls led, 45-35."

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