Article:Bulls/Celtics' Game 5: Basketball Heaven

The NBA is “Where Amazing Happens.” TD Banknorth Garden is “Where Amazing Happens.” And, on Tuesday night, the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics delivered on this year’s NBA playoff slogan. This could possibly be the best 1st round playoff series EVER.

With the series tied 2-2, the Bulls and the Celtics went to battle once again, making it the 3rd time the teams went into OT this series. The Bulls and Celtics used their starters for a considerable amount of time, but in the end, the Celtics came out on top 106-104 for the OT victory.

The Celtics now leading (3-2) gave it everything they had. They went into last few seconds of regulation without Ray Allen and down by 2. The score was 93-91. Then, Paul Pierce sank a jumper to tie the game at 93-93 and sealed everything with his OT performance.

In the last two minutes of OT, Pierce went 3 for 3. He ended the game having played almost 51 minutes and making 15/22 shots for 26 points. Pierce was helped by Rajon Rondo’s 28 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds, Kendrick Perkins’ 16 points, 19 rebounds and 7 blocks and Glen “Big Baby" Davis’ 21 points. The Celtics simply pulled this tough one out through sheer determination, but the Bulls never stopped fighting.

The Bulls were led by Ben Gordon, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich. Gordon played almost 51 minutes amassing 26 points on 6/21 shooting. Salmons had 17 points on 5/15 shooting, and Hinrich scored 19 points on 6/12 shooting. Let’s face it: the Bulls played hard until the clock struck zero in OT, but there poor shooting, as evident by Brad Miller’s 2 missed free throws in OT to possibly tie the game, caused them the game and possibly the series.

The series head back to Chicago for a dramatic Game 6 on Thursday night. It is duly noted that the Celtics took all of their playoff series to game 7 except the Eastern Conference Final and the Championship Final, but any team can still win the series. Whoever wins will truly deserve to get to the next round. The Bulls and the Celtics are the real McCoys. I feel like I’m watching Magic v. Bird at the Boston Garden; I’m in basketball heaven.