Well, not quite. The only other series in NBA history to have five games decided by 3 points or less, Boston vs. Philadelphia in 1981, has this one beat because it was the Eastern Conference finals, Larry Bird vs. Julius Erving, and the last four games were decided by 2, 2, 2, and 1 point.

But no doubt Bulls -Celtics ?09 deserves a better description than the greatest first-round series. Especially if Game 7 is another thriller (why wouldn?t it be?), this should rank among the all-time best series of the past 30 years with the likes of Pacers-Knicks ?95, Bulls -Jazz ?98, Spurs-Mavs ?06 and Mavs-Warriors ?07.

By the way, TNT announced that Game 6 was the most watched first-round game in cable television history, it drew a big rating on Comcast SportsNet, and NBA TV is airing a three-hour retrospective on this series today before Game 7 tips off.

2. Watching Joakim Noah thrive in the spotlight

This won?t come as a surprise, but Noah has been the favored target of Celtics fans during the games in Boston. Instead of shrinking, he?s excelled in the spotlight, averaging 12.8 rebounds, 10.7 points and 2.2 blocks.

His steal, dunk and 3-point play in the third overtime Thursday night should go straight to one of the league?s "Where will amazing happen?" commercials.

Noah is unpopular to opposing fans because of his flamboyant, outgoing personality. Boston?s Rajon Rondo, on the other hand, earned his role as a villain by opening gashes on Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller in Game 5, then throwing Hinrich into the scorer?s table in Game 6.

3. Injured Bulls are gutting it out

Ben Gordon continued to hit game-saving shots after suffering a left hamstring strain in Game 4. But when Gordon was hurting and not as effective Thursday, there was a reappearance of the "best trade deadline acquisition in team history" John Salmons.

Salmons scored 35 points in Game 6 after struggling for weeks to play through a groin strain. On Thursday, Salmons returned to his March form, when he canned 3-pointers, drove past defenders at will and averaged 20 points while shooting 50 percent from the field.

If that Salmons shows up in Game 7, the Bulls will be tough to beat.

4. Hinrich and Miller take hits, come back swinging

Both Bulls showed some fortitude in Game 6. Miller led the late fourth-quarter comeback, while Hinrich refused to back down from Rondo?s cheap shot.

Miller hasn?t been great in this series, but he turned in 23 points and 10 rebounds Thursday when it counted most. Hinrich is shooting 44 percent from 3-point range against the Celtics.

5. Classy Boston stars

Even those fans who stuck with the Bulls during the long, deep valley that connected the championship years with the Skiles era should be developing respect for these Celtics, especially stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

The two veterans have refused to let the defending champs give in without injured all-star Kevin Garnett. Pierce?s late-game shooting was the difference in Game 5 and Allen?s 51-point performance in Game 6 was one for the ages. Michael Jordan?s 63 was the only higher-scoring game in a playoff loss.

6. Give it up for the Baby

Who knew Tyrus Thomas? best friend, Glen "Big Baby" Davis would be this good? Not the NBA general managers who let him sit until the 35th pick of the 2007 draft.

Obviously, Garnett would make a huge difference in the Celtics? defense, but they?re probably a better offensive team with Davis on the floor. Davis has averaged 18.7 points in the series (compared to Garnett?s 15.8 ppg in the regular season) and his screens have been devastating. Without Davis on the court, Allen scores 15 instead of 51 in Game 6.

7. Chicago?s own Doc Rivers

It makes me laugh to read all the criticism of Rivers, a Maywood native. Let?s see, Rivers won 66 games and an NBA title last year. His team blended together three established stars and has three young players who have shown remarkable improvement. The Celtics share the ball, play great defense and run effective set plays.

After all that, you?re going to claim Rivers is a bad coach because he didn?t save a time out or made a bad substitution? Give me a break.

The same probably holds true for Vinny Del Negro and his Bulls ? staff, to some extent, but they haven?t won anything yet.