Bulls/Celtics...One for the Ages

What a series!!! In the first quarter of last night's game 6 between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo slammed Kirk Hinrich into the broadcasting booth and the intensity never let up. After Rondo was assessed a flagrant 1 while Hinrich a technical, the teams went back and forth for four quarters and THREE overtimes until rookie of the year Derrick Rose edged out Rondo on a defensive play that sealed the game. But the win would not have been possible without several things. First, Hinrich played relentless, Shane Battier-like defense (wattup to Richard Pollock) on Paul Pierce all night. Second, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and most importantly John Salmons, the Big Tuna himself, were extremely consistent in their offensive execution (Salmons' pump step 3 ball is becoming a late-game trademark). And lastly, Joakim Noah, in the final minutes of the third overtime, made a hustle play to steal the ball away from Paul Pierce and put in a vicious dunk that saved the game and maybe the series (not to mention the fact he was fouled by Pierce on the play, Pierce fouled out, and Noah made the free throw). As Matt Lederman says, "this kid is pure energy!"
Ray Allen's 50 point night did not go unnoticed either. With Garnett already gone and both Pierce and Perkins on the bench with 6 fouls, Allen seemed to pour in dagger after dagger to tie the game when it mattered. Fortunately if you're pullin for the Bulls (like me), Ray-Ray and fellow 3 point specialist Eddie House had their toes on the 3 point line for many of the shots, consequently making them only 2's in a game where every point mattered.

The Bulls ended up winning 128-127 on a ridiculous defensive play by Rose. Game 7 is set for The Boston Garden on Saturday, and I expect it to be wild like Minnesota. The series has had 7 overtimes thus far and could be called the best first round series of all time. The Bulls edged the celtics in an overtime thriller in Boston in Game 1, so don't look too surprised if they manage to do it again this weekend. Keys to the game? John Salmons needs to score, Ben Gordon needs to be clutch, Kirk Hinrich needs to play d and Joakim Noah needs to bring the energy, a guarantee. But most important for Vinny Del Negro's squad will be the play of their young rookie point guard. All great players need to be able win on the road, and on the road in the playoffs. Rose needs to bloom in the Garden.