Bulls center Brad Miller offered an early prediction for what's in store for Saturday's climactic Game 7 in Boston.
"Probably about seven overtimes in Game 7, I would say," he said. "That's just a prediction. About a five-hour game." The comparisons continue to fall in this remarkable matchup between the Bulls and Celtics. No other playoff series in NBA history featured more than two games that went to overtime. This one has had four.
The Bulls and Celtics have played five games decided by 3 points or less. That has happened one other time in playoff history, the 1981 Eastern Conference finals when Boston beat Philadelphia in seven games.
This series will finally be settled with a Game 7. The Bulls are 3-5 all time in seventh games, but are 0-5 on the road. One question is whether either side will have any energy left with just one day of rest.
"We've got a lot of young guys, more than they've got," Miller said. "So they're obviously going to step up and bring their 'A' game. We are, too."
Added coach Vinny Del Negro, "We are going to have to play the best game of the series. The pressure is all on them. They're at home, they're the defending champions. We are just going to go in there and play."
Seven Bulls are averaging in double-figures in this series, led by guard Ben Gordon at 22.8 points per game. and rookie Derrick Rose at an even 20.0.
If the Bulls can manage a win, they'll head straight to Orlando and open the second round on Monday.
BULLS 128, CELTICS 127 (3 OT): The never-ending thrills continued on Thursday in Game 6 at the United Center. In fact, the Bulls and Celtics outdid themselves by playing three overtimes before the Bulls finally won 128-127 to force a Game 7 on Saturday in Boston. The twists and turns in this contest were far too many to mention. During the fourth quarter, the Bulls went from 12 points up to eight down in a span of six minutes, then delivered a furious rally in the final three minutes and tied the score on Brad Miller's lane drive with 29.7 seconds remaining. Fast forward to the third overtime and the Celtics had the ball with score tied when Bulls center Joakim Noah stole a pass, raced down the court and threw down a dunk while getting fouled. The three-point play with 35 seconds left put the Bulls ahead for good, but it wasn't over until Derrick Rose blocked Rajon Rondo's jumper with about five seconds left to secure the one-point lead. Boston guard Ray Allen poured in 51 points, while forward John Salmons scored 35 to lead the Bulls.
