'Greatest feeling' for Allen
BOSTON - Following Boston's 118-115 victory in Game 2, Celtics hero Ray Allen sounded as though he genuinely appreciated hitting the game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left.
"We've all been out there on the playground, counting down '5, 4, 3, 2, 1,' then hitting the shot and making the crowd noise," Allen said. "It's probably the greatest feeling you can have playing this game, besides enjoying it in the locker room with your teammates. It doesn't matter how many times you do it."
Boston took possession with the score tied and 12.3 seconds left.
The Bulls had Kirk Hinrich guarding Allen and, after a screen, 7-foot Joakim Noah switched onto to Celtics sharpshooter but probably got his hand up a bit too late to have a chance at bothering the shot.
"We disguised it," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "It didn't look the same. We never run it with Ray and Paul (Pierce). We never run it with (Rajon) Rondo having the ball."
Added Bulls guard Derrick Rose: "He hit a good shot over a 7-footer, fading back. If that's not the shot you want someone to take, I don't know what is."
Memories of 63: One of the great moments in Bulls history occurred exactly 23 years ago Monday, Michael Jordan's record-setting 63-point playoff performance at the old Boston Garden.
Current Bulls Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas weren't born yet, but general manager John Paxson was there.
"That was like one of those surreal games you play in where you know something special is happening," Paxson said Monday.
"The thing I still find remarkable about that is Michael had missed so much of the season (with a broken foot) and he was limited in terms of the minutes he could play at the end of the regular season.
"Then to come out and have that type of game, that was remarkable."
The Bulls eventually lost 135-131 in double overtime against one of the great Celtics teams of all time. Paxson obviously did his part, staying out of Jordan's way as much as possible.
"I basically had a little path around the court where I would pass it to one side, then make a little loop underneath the basket and run back on defense," he said. "There was a little groove where I ran."
Another Celtics injury: Boston backup power forward Leon Powe suffered a knee injury during Monday's game and went to the hospital for an MRI.
"It doesn't look great, I can say that," coach Doc Rivers said. "But we'll find out."
If Powe can't play, that would leave journeyman Mikki Moore as Boston's only reserve taller than 6-feet-6, although 6-9 Brian Scalabrine may return Thursday from a concussion.
Bull horns: Vinny Del Negro received 3 votes for coach of the year - 1 first place, 1 second place and 1 third place. Cleveland's Mike Brown was an easy winner over second-place Rick Adelman of Houston. - The Bulls shot a whopping 24 free throws in the first half, outscoring Boston at the foul line 24-7. In the second half the Bulls went to the line five times.