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Bulls hold on at home, force decisive game seven
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AP/Charles Rex Arbogast
If you would have told me Ben Gordon would be watching Game 6 final moments from the bench and Ray Allen scores 51, I would have predicted an entirely different outcome, but in another cardiac arrest inducing game, the Bulls went into three overtimes on Thursday night to pull out a 128-127 win over the Boston Celtics forcing a pivotal game 7 on Saturday in Boston.
Thursday night's three overtime thriller marked the seventh extra period the Bulls and Celtics have played, setting a NBA record for overtimes in a single series
They came out like I expected to them to and jumped on the Celtics early, scoring 37 points in the first quarter, while the Celtics managed 26.
The highlight of the first had to be Rajon Rondo and Kirk Hinrich almost coming to blows, after Rondo swung Hinrich into the scorer's table and threw an elbow that missed, Hinrich went right back in Rondo's face causing him to back-peddle.
Rondo was called for a flagrant foul and Hinrich was assessed a technical foul for shoving Rondo.
In Game 5 Rondo caused Hinrich to hit his face on the floor, which required stitches and dealt a blow to Brad Miller's mouth, which also required stitches, none of which resulted in a flagrant foul. Rondo has become the new James Posey for Bulls fans.
I'm sure after that first quarter, Doc Rivers chewed his club out with the help of Kevin Garnett.
The Celtics responded by not only outscoring the Bulls 31-22 in the second quarter, but Allen continuously got himself open and scored 29 points in the first half. The Bulls led 59-57 at the half.
Not even my notes, taking during the game, gives the finish of this game any life, so I'll skip providing a drawn out detailed filled analysis and focus on the keys of the best game of this series........thus far.
I have been waiting all series on John Salmons (35 points on 13-22 from the field and 5-9 from deep) to finally shoot with confidence and to take advantage of a Celtic defense that after Game 1, has strictly been about preventing penetration to the basket and he did a brilliant job picking up the scoring load for Gordon.
Derrick Rose (28 points on 12-25 from the field, 8 rebounds and 7 assists) was very aggressive looking for his offense and taking the jump shots the Celtics were giving him.
I don't understand how or why I have to try to convince a close friend of mine that this kid isn't "overrated." I won't mention him on here by name, I'll just call him "Skip," That statement which was left on my voice mail during last nights game, was like saying KG has no fire.
Joakim Noah (9 points and 15 rebounds) has continued to provide hustle, energy and fire and last nights steal and dunk on Paul Pierce that fouled him out, and proved to be the dagger, could become the play of the series if the Bulls tighten the screws Saturday in Game 7.
After missing those free throws at the end of Game 5, I wasn't at all worried about Miller coming out and laying it all on the floor. He went for 23 points on 8-9 from the field, 2-2 from deep, and 5-5 from the free throw line and even pulled down 10 boards. I assume that the Celtics bigs of Kendrick Perkins (12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks) and Glen Davis (23 points and 7 rebounds) won't be leaving him anymore room from three-point range as he is 5-6 from there throughout the series. that may not sound like much, but it has to be in their conscience, knowing he can knock down that shot and hasn't been hesitant to take it.
I still don't think many understand how valuable Hinrich is to this organization. Not only did his altercation with Rondo fire up the packed crowd of 23,000 plus, but it sent a message to his teammates that they're not going to go down without a fight and I believe that will help them transfer this energy over into Saturday.
How can we pull off a Game 7 victory?
The Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers last season in Game 7's.
The Game 7 against the Hawks was a blowout, 99-65. The Game 7 against the Cavaliers was close because of LeBron James going off for 45 points, but also a Celtics win, 97-92.
You can argue that this Bulls team is better than both those teams, simply because of depth and overall confidence. Expect the Celtics to come out very aggressive and TD Banknorth Gardens to be very loud.
Here are some things that need to happen.
Pierce was finally forced to his left in a crunch time situation and help was brought over causing him to force a turnaround jumper that hit nothing but hardwood.
Salmons has picked up his defensive intensity against Pierce and Hinrich has made getting to his sweet spots very difficult. I expect Pierce to come out aggressive like he did in Game 3, going right at Salmons. If Salmons continues making Pierce take contested jumpers, while forcing him to drive left, it would limit his effectiveness greatly. He also hasn't been getting to the line a lot in this series, although he went 11-12 in Game 6, if they can force him into being a jump shooter, it takes pressure off of the Bulls bigs.
Remember Game 1 when Ray Allen went 1-12 from the field, including 0-6 from three-point range for 4 points?
Neither do I.
Since then, Allen has gone 44-87 from the field, 25-47 from three-point range for 137 points and some very clutch baskets. At times it doesn't seem like a defender is at arms length of his release and that has been helped by some very huge screens from teammate Davis.
Allen had 51 yesterday. The Bulls have to get him to put the ball on the floor more, because they're not getting around those screens and aren't communicating as they should to contest the shots.
Glen Davis is taking what the defense gives him and that's plenty of mid-range shots. He is taking advantage of Rondo's penetration and the Bulls crashing the boards to prevent long rebounds. If we can get a hand in his face or force him to drive left, the only effectiveness he has is on screens.
Perkins is having a great series and always seems to be in the right spot to launch that hook over his right shoulder and I have noticed Noah trying to force him to go left and he must continue to do so. Perkins have been frustrated all series as Noah has bothered him with his length and constant activity around the rim.
As good as Rondo has been, he was a bit rattled after the confrontation with Hinrich and went 4-17 from the field. He did have 9 rebounds and 19 assists with no turnovers and 8 points, but the most important thing is he only went to the free throw line once and finished 0-2. The Bulls did a better job at cutting off his penetration and forcing him into contested shots. He still isn't comfortable taking jump shots and they must continue to contest his drives.
The Celtics aren't getting anything from there bench and Brain Scalabrine is now getting significant minutes even though he is a defensive liability. Outside of Scalabrine and Eddie House, no one is really a threat to make a shot. Stephon Marbury should be forced to shoot, as he looks like a deer in headlights whenever he has an open opportunity.
The Bulls must bring it on defense and maintain a high level of play. They must continue to attack constantly as some of the Celtics are looking a little winded. Defensive communication will be big, limiting Allen's looks, forcing Pierce into uncomfortable jump shots and keeping Rondo in relative check.
If Rose is taking that mid-range shot that the Celtics are giving him, it should force them to try to contain that and that opens up his opportunities at the rim.
Don't expect another off night from Gordon.
Salmons must duplicate his Game 6 aggressiveness.
Hinrich must be as aggressive as he is on the defensive end on the offensive.
Noah will bring energy, believe that.
Tyrus Thomas will play a big role in Game 7.
Miller must continue to be a threat.
It sounds like a tall order, but the Bulls have proven they can match the Celtics in clutch plays and the game should not only be a close one, but a great finish to a series that will go down as one of the NBA's best.
Game 7 is Saturday at 7PM on TNT.
Video courtesy of Jillian Jesk and Mouthpiecesports.com
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