Rose leads Bulls to stunning victory over Celtics 105-103
BOSTON - Brilliant all season, Derrick Rose now stands at the top of a list that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Tim Duncan.
In his first-ever NBA playoff game, inside the hostile home of the defending champion Boston Celtics, Rose played the best game of his rookie season and led the Bulls to a stunning 105-103 overtime victory Saturday in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Rose tied the all-time NBA record for most points by a rookie in his playoff debut. Jabbar also had 36 for Milwaukee in 1970. Chamberlain scored 35 and Duncan had 32.
"Three months ago, I don't think anybody would have ever believed that a scenario like this would happen," said center Joakim Noah, who grabbed 17 rebounds in his playoff debut. "We've just got to keep our composure and stay humble and stay hungry and I think good things will happen for this team."
The Bulls clearly earned this victory but got a huge break at the end of regulation when Boston star Paul Pierce missed the second of 2 free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining to keep the score even at 97-97.
Pierce had an 18-foot jumper blocked from the side by Noah. It was a close call, but replays showed that Noah probably hit Pierce's wrist before touching the ball.
"Oh man, that was a big missed free throw," Noah said. "There was a little bit of contact. I'm just happy he missed the shot."
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 2 free throws with 9.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls a 97-96 lead.
"I just thought about it like I was playing a regular game," said Rose, who hit 12 of 19 shots and added 11 assists before fouling out with 10.3 seconds left in the overtime.
Rose actually didn't score in the extra session. Tyrus Thomas (16 points) was the overtime hero, knocking down 3 long jumpers. The third one, from 21 feet with 50.5 seconds remaining, made it 105-103 and turned out to be the game-winner.
"I don't see it as pressure," Thomas shrugged while putting on his tie in the locker room. "It's just basketball."
The Bulls got a defensive stop, but Thomas missed a jumper that would have given the visitors a 4-point lead with 11.6 seconds left. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (29 points) headed to the basket and picked up the sixth foul on Rose. Boston wasn't in the penalty, however, and didn't shoot free throws.
Pierce then spun down the lane and lost the ball out of bounds, but the officials gave possession to the Celtics with 3.7 seconds left. With one last chance, Ray Allen missed a 19-foot jumper, the Bulls grabbed the rebound and began celebrating.
"All day yesterday, I pretty much heard everybody saying we weren't going to win a game, period," John Salmons said. "I guess they were wrong."
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 No. 7 playoff seed stayed with it.
Gordon's 3-point play sent the visitors back in front, then Kirk Hinrich poked the ball from Pierce's grasp, Thomas picked it up and went the distance, hitting a tough lane hook to make it 91-88 with 1:35 remaining.
The Bulls' defense held Boston to 39.4-percent shooting overall. Allen hit 1 of 12 attempts, while Pierce was 8-for-21 from the field. Injured all-star Kevin Garnett watched the first half from the bench in street clothes, but not the second half.
"It wasn't a wake-up call," Rondo said. "We didn't play with a sense of urgency early in the game and gave a young team confidence."