Pierce Seared Salmons and Ate Bulls In OT: 106-104

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Call it the "Heart Attack Series." Danny Ainge's was an omen. These two teams are setting off EKG machine alarms everywhere. Hospital cardiac units will surely ban watching the next game.

None of these games are ever really over. It is just 'to be continued.'

I don't remember when I've seen more clutch plays by both teams in a series long playoff match up. That might be because there has never been a series like this before. An NBA playoff record was set with the third overtime (one double OT) contest of this series.

With Paul Pierce leading the way, the undermanned (Garnett and Powe out) Celtics shot 5-of-6 in OT while holding the Bulls to 2-of-8 to gain yet another hard fought win. The C's went 4-6 in free throws while the Bulls went 7-7 in OT. Three of those might have been a gift. More on that later.

Rondo, Perkins, Davis Come Up Big

The Celtics got huge games from Rajon Rondo, who continues to carry the Celtics on his back, a monster game from Kendrick Perkins with 19 rebounds, seven blocks, including a big one on Derrick Rose in OT, and 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Glen 'Big Baby' Davis came through with a large game and an efficient one with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, and zero turnovers.

Pierce Orders Surf 'N Turf

The final course was Pierce-seared Salmons as he carved up the Bulls for dessert.

Paul put on an incredible, yet methodically controlled show as he went 5-for-5 down the stretch and in overtime to deliver the win for the defending champions. He hit jumper, after jumper, after jumper, mostly over the Bulls' John Salmons. Incredibly, rookie coach Vinny Del Negro let Salmons continue to guard Pierce one-on-one.

From Steve Bulpett's article with the Boston Herald:

“Yeah, I thought about doubling him a lot,” said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro.

“But the problem is that the Celtics do such a good job and he fades away, and he’s 6'8" and it’s his spot. We talked about coming with different players, but they’ve picked us apart a little bit with that on the glass. And he hits some tough fade away shots with hands in his face."

“That’s what great players do. They make big plays. He’s an All-Star player for a reason."

The idea would be to double him before he gets to his spot. Garnett is out. Ray Allen is out. Pierce is the one guy on the court you don't want shooting. The only other guy who was willing to shoot is Rondo.

Paul is better from the floor with a defender on him than he is shooting free throws, missing another one in the extra period. After missing two big free throws earlier in the series that could have tied or won games, Pierce made sure this miss wasn't needed.

Miller Misses Twice

After Pierce's last dagger, and the Celtics up two. the Celtics heavily defended the three point line on the inbound. Brad Miller took the inbound pass just inside the arc and headed for the basket and the tie.

The Celtics closed quickly and as Rondo swept at him, Miller took a hard wrap to the mouth from a Rajon Rondo hand from behind, drawing blood and possibly knocking a tooth loose with two seconds left on the clock. After going to the sidelines to clear the blood, Brad Miller stepped up and missed his first foul shot.

He then tried to miss the second, to get the rebound, but created a turnover when it didn't even hit the rim. Coach Del Negro is claiming that it was a flagrant foul, and is hoping that the league reviews it. Miller received stitches after the game.

The Bulls fouled Pierce on the Celtics inbounds and Paul missed his first free throw, setting up a similar situation. He did manage to intentionally hit the rim on his next attempt. The rebound came to Glen Davis as he went to the floor. Celtic ball. Game over. Finally.

NBA players have voted saying that Kobe Bryant is the one they most want taking the last shot. Honestly, I'll take Paul Pierce or Ray Allen every time. Allen fouled out with about five minutes left in regulation with just 10 points in 26-plus minutes.

What makes these Celtics special is that they still have one of the clutchest players in the league with Paul Pierce.

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