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Bulls take game1 in overtime, 105-103

BOSTON - Derrick Rose scored 36 points in his playoff debut, leading the Bulls to a stunning 105-103 overtime victory in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.

According to ESPN, Rose tied the all-time NBA record for most points by a rookie in his playoff debut. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also had 36 for Milwaukee in 1970. Rose hit 12 of 19 shots, made all 12 of his free throws and added 11 assists before fouling out with 10 seconds left in the overtime.

This was as tense and exciting a game as anyone could have asked for. With a house full of fans and probably a few ghosts of the Garden screaming, Rose calmly knocked down two free throws with 9.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls a 97-96 lead.

Fortunately, the basketball gods didn't let the game end on a controversial call. Joakim Noah might have clinched the game for the Bulls when he blocked Paul Pierce's jumper with 2.6 seconds left, but was called for a foul. Replays showed that Noah may have struck wrist before ball as he reached over from the side.

Pierce (23 points) made the first free throw to tie the score, but the second one rimmed out and the teams headed to overtime.

At the end of the extra session with Boston down by 2, Pierce spun down the lane and lost the ball out of bounds, but the officials gave possession to the Celtics with 3.7 seconds left. Ray Allen, who scored just 4 points, missed a 20-foot jumper, the Bulls grabbed the rebound and began celebrating.

In overtime, Tyrus Thomas (16 points) knocked down 3 long jumpers, the third gave the Bulls a 105-103 lead with 50.5 seconds left. The Bulls got a stop, but Thomas missed another jumper that could have sent them to a 4-point advantage. Boston took possession with 11.6 seconds left and Rajon Rondo drew the sixth foul on Rose, but Boston was not in the bonus.

The Bulls were in control for most of this game and led by as many as 11, but for the longest time, couldn't get a big shot from anyone but Rose that would have put the Celtics away.

Ben Gordon (20 points) knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:32 remaining, his first field goal since the opening five minutes, to put the Bulls ahead 84-79. Boston responded with 8 straight points, but the Bulls stayed with it.

Gordon's jumper and 3-point play sent the visitors back in front 89-88 with 1:54 left. Then Kirk Hinrich poked the ball out of Pierce's grasp, Thomas grabbed the loose ball and took it all the way, hitting a tough lane hook to make it 91-88 with 1:35 remaining.

After an exchange of baskets, the Bulls had a heartbreaking possession when Rose got to the rim, but missed a contested layup and Noah's point-blank tip wouldn't fall, keeping the lead at 1 with about 50 seconds left. Pierce drew a foul on Hinrich and buried both free throws to put Boston ahead with 37.4 seconds on the clock.

Rose came back and scored on a lane drive before Rondo rebounded a Ray Allen brick and hit a hook shot over Noah with 22.1 seconds remaining.

The Bulls got a break on their next possession when after a scramble for a loose ball, John Salmons was called for traveling. But after the referees conferred, they ruled that the ball was tipped out of Salmons' possession before he continued his dribble and gave it back to the Bulls.

After the ensuing inbounds pass, Rondo tried to keep Rose from the ball and was finally called for a foul the third time he grabbed the rookie.

Another Bull making his playoff debut was Noah, who was outstanding inside. The second-year center finished with 17 rebounds, 11 points and 3 blocks.

The Bulls defense was very good. Boston shot 39.4 percent overall. Allen hit 1 of 12 attempts, while Pierce was 8 for 21 from the field. Rondo led the Celtics with 29 points, while Glen Davis added 18.

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