By far, the most tightly contested series in NBA history, with four overtime games out of six. One game went two overtimes, game #5 went three grueling overtimes.

Neither club has shown any ability to separate itself from the other. All leads are lost, all deficits are recovered. There have been a huge amount of magnificent plays by both teams. There have been numerous blunders, missed shots and mistakes by both as well.

What is making the 41-41 Bulls play so well against the NBA champions?1) Kevin Garnett - the defensive backbone of the Celtics , is a spectator.That alone changes the Celtics significantly. They are mere mortals without him. No longer the intimidating team with two shot blockers on the court and the league's best pick and roll defender, the Celtic's defense is no longer scary good.

2) The bench disparity -The Bulls first two players off the bench are far more effective than anyone the Celtics try to bring in for help. Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich are both starters on most teams. Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore have been duds. Eddie House has not been able to get going and Doc hasn't been able to leave the relief players on the court long enough to get comfortable. Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine just can't do enough to help in big ways.

That means that the Celtics starters have to play ghastly amounts of minutes. They are the older team, but must pace themselves at times. No lead is safe, because of that.

Those are, by far, the two biggest reasons.

Add to that, a Paul Pierce that appears to be less than the Paul Pierce of last year's playoff, and the absence of Leon Powe, and the Celtics are a good team and a dangerous team, but not a dominant one.

Like last year's first round series, they let a mostly young, talented team gain confidence. This time by losing to them in the first game at home, no less.

The now classic series has had some fantastic performances. Derrick Rose's 36 points in his first ever playoff game, Ben Gordon's 42 points in game two, Ray Allen's 51 points in game six will all stand out.

Rajon Rondo's blitzkrieg triple double performances have solidified him as an elite point guard, amd (NYSE:AMD) legitimate star in the league.

Glen Davis' emergence as a steady offensive player has not gone unnoticed. Kendrick Perkins' vital defensive role, stepped up offensive game and huge 19 rebound performance will not be forgotten. Nor will his penchant for fouling.

Ray Allen's clutch shooting three point has been series saving. Paul Pierce's rises to brilliance have been far too infrequent.

The Bulls?

Joakim Noah has raised his game to another level. Derrick Rose is showing what a budding star looks like. John Salmons have played far better than I believed he could. Brad Miller has done what Brad Miller does - but as well as he has ever done it. Kirk Hinrich has earned my respect as a tough two way player. Thank goodness Tyrus Thomas still hasn't figured things how best to be a great player. Ben Gordon has gutted out an inspirational final performance as a Bull, with a gimpy hamstring.

No matter what happens, the Bulls have already won. The question remains, can the same be said of the Celtics ?

There are differing views on that. If you thought that the Celtics were Eastern Conference Title contenders even without Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe, then this a tougher series to swallow.

If you thought that this Celtic team is limping through the playoffs due to all its injuries, both known and unknown, and the bench players never were as good as Doc and others would have you believe, then this series isn't as surprising.

Either way, it all comes to a finale tonight. One thing no one can say, is that they didn't get their money's worth. It has been exciting Basketball, played extremely hard. For hardwood fanatics, you couldn't ask for more. A series for the ages ends this evening.

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