Game 7 it is

The Chicago Bulls forced Game 7 in what has already been an epic series with the Boston Celtics. The Bulls outlasted the Celtics 128-127 in triple overtime. The Bulls overcame a classic night from Celtic guard Ray Allen who posted a career playoff high 51 points. Allen was blanketed throughout the game yet still managed to hit amazing clutch shot after amazing clutch shot. John Salmons of the Bulls scored a career playoff high of his own with 35 point, knocking down impressive shots of his own. Derrick Rose continued to exemplify poise, proving why he is rookie of the year with 28 points 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. After missing the two free throws in game 5 after a tough foul from Rajon Rondo, Miller bounced back with key plays at the end of regulation. Miller finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Joakim Noah had 15 rebounds while finishing a pivotal dunk plus the foul over Paul Pierce. Glen "Big Baby" Davis continued inspired play in the absence of their emotional leader Kevin Garnett. Davis scored 23. Rondo played facilitator on this night dishing 19 assists to go with his 8 points and 9 rebounds. Once again it was the Celtics bench that was nonexistent.

Although Paul Pierce is the Celtics best isolation player, I would have liked to see Ray Allen with the ball in his hands late in the game. Allen had it going where Pierce didn't necessarily. Pierce missed him at the end of the first overtime. Ray has had the ball in iso situations throughout his career and this was time for it. Rondo was given the ball with a chance to take Rose off the dribble. I would of least liked to see some type of dribble hand off with Allen getting him going toward the basket, putting the onus on the refs. I've argued since Allen was a Celtic that Rivers has made him one dimensional. Allen was in the corner where it looked as though Salmons was holding him as the world including the refs watched Rondo vs Rose. When a player has 51 in a game you put it in his hands and live with the result sometimes, especially this time.

The final battle of this epic war will take place Saturday May 2 8:00 p.m. ET.

2OT thiller evens series

Chicago Bulls edged out the Boston Celtics in a double overtime thriller in Chicago, 121-118. Clutch three point jumpers by both Ray Allen and Ben Gordon at the end of regulation and the 1st overtime highlighted the end of the contest. Allen finished with 28 points (8-17 fg's) , while Gordon finished with 22 points (10-22 fg's). The point guard play was once again intense between two young up and coming players. Rajon Rondo, of the Celtics, recorded a triple double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Derrick Rose, of the Bulls, finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Paul Peirce contributed to the Celtics cause posting 29 points (9-24 fg's). However, the difference is the game was bench play. Reserves Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller of the Bulls combined for 30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The entire Celtic bench provided 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Pivitol Game 5 is Tuesday April 28.

Boston dominates in Chicago

The Boston Celtics showed signs of it's tenacity that we grew used to seeing last season, in game 3 against the Chicago Bulls. The Celtics beat the Bulls 107-86 while holding Chicago to 38% shooting. Paul Pierce set the tone with his scoring early. Pierce finished with a game-high 24 points. Rajon Rondo continued his play overall with 20 points of his own along with 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Ray Allen finished with 18 while Stephon Marbury came off the bench to add 13. The Bulls were led in scoring by Ben Gordon who finished with 15 points on 5-13 shooting. Derrick Rose was held to only 9 points, far fewer than his epic performance in game 1. Game 4 of this series is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Boston evens the series in a classic

Ray Allen quieted critics and the Bulls with his hot shooting to win game 2 of their 1st round matchup. The Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 118-115 to tie the series at 1 game a piece. After beginning the game 1-4 in the 1st half, Allen exploded scoring 28 of his 30 in the 2nd half. Down the stretch of the game Bulls guard, fellow Uconn Huskie, Ben Gordon seemed to go shot for shot. Gordon carried the Bulls offensively torching the Celtics for 42 points. Gordon was so hot, it seemed as if coach Vinny Del Negro said get it to Ben and get out of the way. Rajon Rondo continued fine play posting a triple double. Rondo finished with 19 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds. After two games Rondo has 48 points, 23 assists, and 21 rebounds. Glen "Big Baby" Davis quietly put up 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds while trying to fill the void of an injured Kevin Garnett. To add to Celtics injury woes, reserve forward Leon Powe tore his MCL and will miss he remainder of the season. Game 3 is in Chicago on Thursday April 23 8 p.m. ET. If it's anything like the first two games you should definitely tune in.

Rose Blossoms

Derrick Rose lead the Chicago Bulls to an upset victory in game 1 of their playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. Rose scored 36 points, tying Kareem Abdoul-Jabbar's NBA record for most points scored by a rookie in their first playoff game. Rose shot 12-19 from the floor and 12-12 from the free throw line while adding 11 assists. Rose put on a performance for the ages despite a strong showing from opposing point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo lead the Celtics with 29 points 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Former Uconn guards Ray Allen, of the Celtics, and Ben Gordon, of the Bulls, struggled shooting in the game. Gordon heated up to pace the Bulls with 12 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter. Allen however did not, finishing the game 1-12 for only four points.

KG out for Playoffs?

Concern for the Boston Celtics organization and their fans has risen today with the news of the worry for Kevin Garnett by his coach Doc Rivers. Garnett injured himself on Feb. 19 and missed the following 13 games. He played sparingly during the next four games, until the team decided to rest Garnett for the duration of the season to rest him and hope he heal in time for the playoffs. Not that the playoffs are nearly upon us, Rivers is unsure Garnett is ready to participate. "It's not official that he's out for the entire playoffs, but it's official as far as I'm concerned," Rivers said before practice at the team's workout facility. "I just don't see how. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it." Rivers watched Garnett run up and down the court at the facility for about 20 minutes before he decided to shut him down because the knee seemed to be locking up on Garnett. Rivers said he knew he made the right decision when Garnett did not show much objection. "He's done everything he could do to get back on the floor," Rivers said. "You could tell he was trying to mask that there was pain." Will KG miss the playoffs? Or will he miraculously return with avengeance like Paul Pierce returned from his wheelchair last season in the Finals? The Celtics will open up the playoffs Saturday in Boston at 12:30 p.m. ET against Chicago on ESPN.

Allen's Trey Saves the Day

Ray Allen's game winning three gave the Boston Celtics 111-109 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in double overtime. Last season Allen had similar late game heroics in Charlotte. With less than nine minutes left in the game the Bobcats held a 12-point lead. The Celtics rallied behind Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce. Pierce finished with 32 points, while Rondo finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Although victorious without superstar Kevin Garnett, is this tight game with the Bobcats a sign of deeper issues with the Celtics?