Bulls’ rookie nets 28, blocks shot in triple OT to force Game 7
CHICAGO – One more overtime thriller has the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics headed for a Game 7. Seems only fitting for this series.
Derrick Rose scored 28 points and blocked Rajon Rondo’s potential game-winner, John Salmons scored 35, and the Bulls beat the defending champions 128-127 in triple overtime Thursday night to even the first-round series at 3-3.
Ray Allen scored a career playoff-high 51 points for the Celtics, but it’s back to Boston for Game 7 on Saturday night after another instant classic in a series that had already seen its share of drama.
Three of the first five games went to overtime, including a Game 4 that went two extra periods. Another came down to the wire in regulation, but Thursday’s trumped them all.
Rondo penetrated and pulled up on the left block with 8 seconds left and turned, only to be rejected by Rose. The NBA’s rookie of the year then missed two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining, before Rondo launched a harmless heave from beyond midcourt.
That ended the game. The series, however, continues.
“This series is a lot of fun for the fans, the people of Chicago, the people of Boston,” said Joakim Noah of the Bulls, who made the go-ahead three-point play after a steal. “It’s a lot of fun for us, too, playing in environments like this on the big stage.”
Rose added: “It’s crazy, but you got to love it.”
Things might be different with a healthy Kevin Garnett, but without him, the Celtics are locked in a classic.
“It’s unbelievable,” Boston’s Kendrick Perkins said. “Shot after shot, tough make after tough make. It’s a tough series. They’re a young team playing with a lot of confidence.”
At 123-123 in the third overtime, Noah stole a pass by Paul Pierce and broke upcourt for a dunk, got fouled by Pierce and hit the free throw with 35.5 seconds remaining. Eddie House quickly answered with a corner jumper, his feet on the 3-point arc, to pull the Celtics within 126-125, but Brad Miller hit two free throws to get the lead back up to three with 28 seconds left.
Allen was spectacular for Boston, finishing three points shy of John Havlicek’s club playoff record and tying the NBA playoff mark with nine 3-pointers.
“It’s very bittersweet,” Allen said. “There’s nothing to really talk about anymore. We lost and we had the agony that it wasn’t enough.”
Glen Davis added 23 points and Pierce had 22 for Boston.
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