How good has the Chicago-Boston series been?
Thursday night's triple-overtime special was simply a classic. How do the Celtics give up a lead with a minute and a half to go after coming back from being down 12 points in the fourth quarter? Oh, that's right, the Bulls went on a monster run. Wait a minute then I guess you need to ask what happen to the Bulls lead? They allowed Boston to reel off 18 straight points. I guess Ben Gordon put it best in reference to the 128-127 triple-overtime thriller, saying that just when you think you have the game won, something happens.
Ray Allen had a career playoff-high 51 points but said he sat in the shower thinking about all the missed shots and opportunities the Celtics let get away. Such is life when you are on the losing end. Doc Rivers commented that he thought Brad Miller, who gained redemption for missing free throws at the end of Game 5, was the hero for the Bulls. Miller's three-point shot with Kendrick Perkins daring him to shoot and subsequent driving lay up on the next possession around Perkins gave Chicago hope according to Rivers. But in these eyes, the play of the game came from Joakim Noah. Say what you will about this kid, but he competes.
Paul Pierce was surprisingly quiet in the extra frames and he looked tired in the third overtime. Guess I shouldn't be surprised but his critical turnover sealed the game. Unless you have been on the court, you don't know how good a play that was by Noah. He makes the steal and handles the ball with the skill of a point guard going the length of the floor in three dribbles while outrunning Pierce to the goal. Pierce could not catch him! And the topper, he finishes under control with a dunk going at full speed while getting fouled by Pierce. An unbelievable play!
I disagreed somewhat with TNT's Doug Collins when he said Pierce needs to remember he has five fouls. True, he does need to know that the next foul puts him out of the game but instinct takes over at that point when he sees Noah take off following the turnover. All Pierce is thinking is "Holy $#!%^!, I got to run this guy down and stop him!" Yes, he should have let him go but I can see where it would play out the way it did.
Here is my question: why did Doc Rivers not put Mikki Moore in after Perkins fouled out? Moore is not the inside presence that Perkins is, but wouldn't you think he is big enough to provide somewhat of a deterrent in the middle? Whispers are saying that Rivers has lost some confidence in Moore and that's why he elected to go with Brian Scalabrine.
As for the whole Rajon Rondo-Kirk Hinrich issue, they are just competing. Not to sound like the old man but that kind of stuff used to happen all the time. The only thing to remember is you can't have it both ways. It's those guys that post up strong on the offensive end and when they get a little push from the defender they want a foul. Hey buddy, you just can't expect the defender to sit there and allow himself to be part of your highlight film.
That being said, Hinrich was probably told to keep the aggressively-rebounding Rondo off the offensive glass so he was putting a body on him for a block out. Rondo was understandably giving some back but he got carried away. Hinrich was blocking Rondo off the boards but it continued slightly even after Chicago had secured the ball and that may have upset Rondo. On the other side of the coin, Rondo can't expect not to get attention on missed shots after his prolific rebounding so he has to take some back. Good call by the officials. Just keep playing. You can't legislate or officiate emotion out of the game.
With the Houston Rockets finishing off the Portland Trailblazers Thursday, there are only two first-round series still going. So far the predictions are right, within a game or two, so let's just say I can't wait for Game 7 on Saturday.
