The Amazing Bulls-Celtics Series: Statistically Speaking

The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 106-104 in overtime in Game Five of their opening round series on Tuesday.  This was the third overtime game of the series, marking the first time an NBA playoff series has gone to the extra period three times.

A record third overtime game underscores just how close this series has been.  If you will, forget for a moment, that Game Three of this series ever happened.  Now you know what a Bulls fan feels like. 

In all seriousness, if you throw out Game Three, the statistics between the two teams in the close games are remarkably similar.  Here are some fun facts to back it up:

Total Points: Bulls 445, Celtics 445

Field Goal Percentage: Bulls 45.2%, Celtics 44.7%

Three-Pointers Made: Bulls 26, Celtics 27

Three-Pointers Attempted: Bulls 72, Celtics 71

Total Rebounds: Bulls 188, Celtics 186

Assists: Bulls 81, Celtics 85

Steals: Bulls 28, Celtics 32

Turnovers: Bulls 55, Celtics 53

It's always amazing how after playing basketball for 48 minutes or more, teams can have the exact same number of points.  The Bulls and Celtics have scored the exact same number of points in 212 minutes of play!

Game Six takes place on Thursday night in Chicago, look for it to be just as exciting as the last two.