Fountain of youth serving Bulls well

The Bulls didn't exactly call the Celtics old Sunday afternoon.

They just said they're a long way removed from young.

"Youth was definitely on our side," said Ben Gordon, after the Bulls' 121-118 double-overtime victory at the UC. "That was definitely a positive for us. Definitely."

The Bulls certainly saw Boston players gasping for air in both OTs, while the Bulls had the advantage of young legs.

"We had a ton of energy," said Joakim Noah. "I'm not going to say they didn't because they're the defending champs and they'll be ready for Game 5."

Much has been made of the young Bulls being at an experience disadvantage, but the longer the series goes, and the longer these games go, the Bulls are exploiting the Celtics' exhaustion, which stems from a very short summer last year, and a useless bench.

"There's no reason to worry about it, because it is what it is," Boston coach Doc Rivers said of his team's fatigue. "That's why this one would have been big, because we are playing short handed."

The defeat also meant Boston has to return to Chicago for a Game 6.

"I don't know. Maybe we just like Chicago," Rivers said. "The pizza is freaking good."

The Celtics might want to try carbo-stuffing after a 3-hour, 33-minute contest Sunday.

"I'm not going to let myself believe they're tired," Noah said with a big smile, clearing believing the Celtics are tired. "You can believe that if you want, but we still have some games left with the defending champs."

Probably three games left after the Bulls tied the series at 2-2 Sunday, with both of the Bulls' victories coming in overtime.

"This was a tough one to swallow. We would have liked this one," said Paul Pierce. "It's a three-game series now and hopefully we'll take care of business."

The longer the Bulls extend the series, the more the Celtics miss Kevin Garnett, and the more they remember that even if they beat the Bulls, they have no reason to think they can beat Cleveland.

So why bother going to all the trouble of winning this series?

"Don't forget the first home game here, they beat us by 30," said John Salmons, "so you know they're playing hard."

It's still there for Boston's taking, if the Celtics are interested.

"We'll fight through this, just like we've had to fight through stuff all year long," said Glen Davis. "We just have to win the next game, and go from there."

That would be back here to Chicago, where it will be another test of energy vs. knowledge.

After four games, that score is also tied.

Size matters

There's being big, and then there's playing big.

"My role hasn't changed all year. My job is to rebound," said Joakim Noah. "It's that simple. I need to get to the boards."

But the reality is the 6-foot-11 Noah had 10 rebounds Sunday, 1 fewer than 6-foot-1 Rajon Rondo and 6-foot-3 Derrick Rose. For the series, Noah has only 2 more rebounds than Rondo (45-43).

And for everything Noah and Tyrus Thomas do well, they also do something to hurt the team.

Thomas' worst sin Sunday was fouling Ray Allen on a wide-open 3 with 2:50 left in the third and the Bulls up 7.

Allen hit all 3 free throws, the Celts went on a 12-0 run to end the quarter, and Boston had a 5-point lead entering the fourth.

SuperBen again

Ben Gordon had a pulled hamstring, a sore wrist, and fell so hard on his back after a foul that he couldn't catch his breath.

He also missed a crucial free throw with 9.8 seconds to go in the first OT, before hitting a 3 to tie it with 4.5 seconds left.

"I have a short memory," Gordon said. "I don't let any missed shot affect me."

Brad Miller said he's no longer shocked by anything Gordon does.

"In the two months I've been here, he's hit some of the most unbelievable shots I've seen in my career," Miller said. "He's as clutch as anyone I've ever seen on any team I've been on at any level."

Fan unfriendly

The UC crowd waited only 2:07 into the first period to chant, "Rondo (bleeps)."

Actually, he didn't. Rondo was once again remarkable, finishing with a triple-double (25-11-11).

Derrick Rose, with whom Rondo is having a battle for the ages, nearly matched Rondo, going 23-11-9.

Just hurting

Rajon Rondo was fully wrapped in ice on the bench during warmups and didn't remove the packs from his lower legs until after the anthem and intros.

Nice gesture

Just before tip, Norm Van Lier's widow, Susan, walked to midcourt for the honorary game-ball presentation.

Jump around

With 5:52 left in the third and the Bulls down a pair, as Vinny Del Negro held court during a timeout, Joakim Noah stared out at the floor where some youngsters were holding a jump rope demonstration.

And finally -

TNT's Charles Barkley, on TBS hiring David Wells as a baseball analyst: "I'm so glad we hired him. Now there's someone here fatter than me."