Derrick Rose had a fine rookie season, but the playoffs are where legends are born. While previewing this series last night, I predicted that even though the Celtics would prevail, it would be Rose's emergence as a big-game player that had people talking. After one game, at least I can say I was half right: Rose not only tied an NBA record with 36 points in his playoff debut but also led the Bulls to an overtime victory 105-103. And with that, Boston's 62-win season is officially moot; with three of the next six games being played in Chicago, the Celtics no longer hold home-court advantage.
As surprising as Chicago's win was, consider this: the Bulls actually played quite poorly down the stretch, committing ill-advised fouls that gave the Celtics every opportunity to win the game in regulation. And despite Rose's sterling play (he shot an extremely efficient 12-19 from the field, 12-12 from the line and chipped in 11 assists), he also committed five turnovers and fouled out of the game at a critical juncture with 10 seconds left.
If the Bulls played a little cleaner, this game would have been over in 48. And before you accuse me of picking nits, realize that's actually a really good sign for the Bulls going forward.
The Celtics got everything they could have expected and more out of Rajon Rondo (29 points, seven assists, nine boards) and Paul Pierce (23 points, seven boards, three assists), but someone needs to slap Ray Allen's face onto the side of a milk carton: he was absolutely brutal from the field missing 11 of 12 attempts, finishing the game with just four points.
As encouraged as the Bulls should be for pulling this game out despite shaky play, the Celtics can probably rest assured that Allen won't stay missing for long. What can we take from this game? Exactly what we knew going in: every minute will be a hard-fought battle. This series should be as entertaining as any matchupin the NBA's playoff bracket. (This post was edited.)
Latest NBA Playoff Photos
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce reacts as dives for a loose ball but Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) comes up with it in the first half of the opening game of an NBA playoff series in Boston Saturday, April 18, 2009. The Bulls won 105-103 in overtime. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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Chicago Bulls forward Cedric Simmons (15) looses control of the ball as he drives to the hoop while Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce (34) applies defensive pressure during their first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Garden in Boston, Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2009. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 105-103. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the hoop past Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah (13) during first quarter action of their first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Garden in Boston, Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2009. Rondo scored a team high 29 as the Bulls went on to defeat the Celtics 105-103 to take a 1-0 game lead in the best of seven series. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Tyrus Thomas #24 of the Chicago Bulls is called for a foul as Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics loses the ball in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyrus Thomas;Rajon Rondo
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Head coach Vinny Del Negro of the Chicago Bulls reacts after a call against his team in the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinny Del Negro
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after he is called for a foul against Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joakim Noah
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CLEVELAND - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waves to the crowd prior to Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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CLEVELAND - APRIL 18: Will Bynum #12 of the Detroit Pistons shoots while being guarded by Ben Wallace #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Wallace;Will Bynum
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics hits a free throw at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime against the Chicago Bulls in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Pierce
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics reacts after his last second shot in overtime hits the rim in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-18-2009 @ 3:56PM
infinitesnowboy said...
Totally agree that Rose was amazing. At least two of those fouls were good fouls too, where he stopped a big man from an easy layup.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 5:02PM
Honey Bunny said...
Not to be picky, but I believe that 3 of the next 6 games will be in Chicago (not 4).
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 7:01PM
Matt Watson said...
You're absolutely right. In the name of speed, I made a mistake -- it's fixed.
4-18-2009 @ 5:04PM
tocmaf said...
Three of the remaining six...not four of the next six, but the playing field has been leveled neverthless. They don't have Garnett and we don't have Deng....let's see what happens.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 5:22PM
nabpdcop said...
Hey TOCASS,
What's with the WE? Are you french? Can you even play the game? Bulls are still going to lose in six or seven to the Celts. Count on it.
4-18-2009 @ 5:44PM
tocmaf said...
All the bleating about losing Garnett from a loaded squad...people forget that Deng, a key player for the Bulls is out. The Bulls played like dreck and won and Rivers is worried. Believe it.
Losing that game levels the playing field...and no, I don't play. Gave the game up at age 52...2 hours of full court 3-4 days a week...I couldn't take the recovery time anymore..and I wasn't about to eat a bottle of Nsaids every day just to play.
4-18-2009 @ 5:22PM
Boateng said...
give me a break....so u going to compare Deng to Garnett now??? come on be realistic.......
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 5:52PM
Michael gifford said...
okay Celtics fans, start practicing your excuses now:
#1 We didn't have KG and Deng isn't near his equivalent so it would be more like losing...uhm...Derrick Rose
#2 The refs were favoring Rose and giving him lots of calls and they hate Ray Allen
#3 Ray couldn't close enough to Varejao to attempt a groin shot again...
#4 Allen is upset he wasn't teabagged by Varejao and so he's playing badly...
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4-18-2009 @ 6:30PM
lopjackie21 said...
Hahaha....I thought it was funny...!
Reply
4-19-2009 @ 5:08AM
jcsgroove said...
Common folks,you gotta know your basketball better than this...they're not comparing Deng to Garnett in terms of how great a player but in his IMPORTANCE TO HIS TEAM!!! Without Deng they're missing another 14 pts. 6rbnds and a couple of assists.Tell me that's not important and you don't know basketball!
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4-19-2009 @ 10:24AM
Susan said...
The Celtics have not been the same since they added Marbury to their roster. His continued bad karma that he brings followed him to Boston. The Celtics will be out soon and Marbury will, once again, not get "his" championship. For that I am grateful - he is spoiled, petulant and an enormous crybaby. The Celtics never should have picked him up. He is a chemistry breaker. THAT is what is wrong with the Celtics.
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4-19-2009 @ 10:37AM
Mike said...
Nice win by the Bulls, though, they played terrible really. That tells you how well the Celtics played. Yes, the celtics will rebound and win the series, and in the long run this will still help Chicago out more than Boston, but the celtics getting past anyuone else is not happening. And will someone please explain why they mention Allen to the hall of fame??? He did nothing for Seattle as far as winning it, he has to have 3 somewhat good players to play at even close to a high level. Most of his shots are kick outs from Garnett and he's wide open. Show me Allen actually shooting over a guy guarding him?? Never, not consistently, ever. Pierce, Garnett, Allen, until they had each other, they were all just :good", above average players. Not a ONE of them could ever carry a team. They sure are not a LeBron or Kobe. Just look at what D-Wade has to do night in and night out wiothout Shaq there. He will tire out eventually and bye bye Heat.
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4-19-2009 @ 11:43AM
tsshepard said...
Kevin Garnett is a peice of CRAP. He acn't even respect his team mates and sit on the bench?What a great team mate. Then again, if I had cheap shot Ray Allen on my team I wouldn't sit on the bench either. BTW nice game Ray Allen. I guess you take cheap shots at other guys balls because it the only shots you can make. Or was that the 1 of 12 shots that you have taken at guys balls this year?
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4-19-2009 @ 2:22PM
Nate said...
Gifford, Rose was getting calls because the Celtics foul a lot, but rarely do refs call them. Pierce pushed Rose out of the air on a layup attempt without even leaving the ground, no less going for the ball; no flagrant foul call. Then, late in the game, Joakim Noah got leveled violently on a dunk attempt and no flagrant was called. Not to mention the fact that the Celtics set more illegal screens than the Italian Mafia, and they slap at people on every drive. We ALL know the Celtics play with 7 on 5 anytime they're at home, so cut the crap; Rose ATE the Celtic defense and deserved every point he got.
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