Chicago Evens Series Against Boston In Epic 3 OT Battle

There was no clutch shot to end this game. Not by Ray Allen, nor by Ben Gordon.

Instead, the cold-shooting Gordon was sitting on the bench during his team's 128-127 triple-overtime win, after fouling out. Allen, despite being on the losing side, played like a winner.

A much younger, sharp-shooting, winner.

Allen poured in a personal-best 51 points in 59 minutes, while doing his best to lead the Celtics out of the first round.

After missing a shot to win the game at the end of regulation, Allen continued his fury into the second overtime, where he eventually hit a three to send the game into it's third, and final period.

As historic and entertaining as Allen's night was and truly could have been, it means almost nothing now.

The Bulls won, and they're going to Boston to finish the job this Sunday.

But let's not get carried away. Not yet, anyways.

With the ineffective Gordon out of the game, it was up to Derrick Rose to drive, pass, and shoot his team through each overtime, while getting star-like assistance from Brad Miller and John Salmons.

Salmons dropped 35 points, including a beautiful, Jordan-esque three-point play on a drive and layup on Paul Pierce.

And if you didn't catch this game, I know what you're waiting for—and even more importantly—I know what you're expecting.

You're guessing Rose sealed the win with a pair of free throws or a fantastic layup. Actually, he had that chance, and missed both. After an earth-altering block and steal on Rajon Rondo, Rose went to the line to end the game.

He couldn't convert, however, and the Celtics were left with one last dramatic heave from near mid-court.

However, before THAT even happened, Boston was almost saved by what appeared to be a bone-headed missed layup by Kirk Hinrich. A closer look through replay, though, showed it was debatable that Rajon Rondo tipped the ball out as it was still ascending.

While it wasn't visibly clear if it was goal-tending or not, no call was made.

And while you have the final score, the box score, and highlights to look at; there was nothing quite like Joakim Noah's steal and fast break for a dunk on Paul Pierce.

The least likely guy on the team—despite Hinrich and Rose's best efforts, ended up making the play that won the game.

Noah, who only had nine points in 43 minutes, made a terrific steal on Pierce, beat him to the basket, and threw down a ferocious one-hander, while drawing the foul.

After he completed the three-point play, Noah pumped his arms in a pre-emptive victory dance, knowing full-well that he had done his duty.

Still, despite the numbers, the big plays, and the controversial calls or non-calls, this game stood on its own, apart from the others in this series. Truth be told, that's saying a whole hell of a lot.

This is one of the most remarkable series we have seen in some time. Both teams have battled back late in games, while allowing only one game to be decided by more than three points.

The other four? All overtime games—two of them at least double overtime.

But after nearly a full hour of basketball for some of these players, what can we expect on Sunday?

Well, quite frankly, despite the likelihood of there being some tired legs and cold-shooting, something a little bit like this.