NBA Scores Eastern Conference Playoffs: Boston Celtics Grab Series Lead After Knocking Off Chicago Bulls in OT

Paul Pierce scored 26 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 28 points, 8 boards and 11 assists and Kendrick Perkins came up huge with 16 points, 19 rebounds and 7 blocks as the Boston Celtics held serve and knocked off the Chicago Bulls 106-104 in overtime on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Bulls started slow as they hit just one field goal over the first 4:42 as the Celtics jumped to a 9-3 advantage but Chicago began to find their shot and trailed 23-21 at the end of the frame. Chicago grabbed the lead early in the second when Kirk Hinrich buried a three-pointer but that lead was short lived as Stephon Marbury answered with a triple of his own and Boston would build a small four point lead. Chicago made their move with five minutes left in the half as they went on an 8-0 run to grab a four point lead of their own and by the end of the second they were up 47-44.

Glen Davis kept the Celtics in the game during the third period as he scored 10 points in the frame but the Bulls managed to increase their lead by one and led 70-66 heading into the fourth. The Bulls opened the fourth with a 7-0 spurt and pushed their advantage to 77-66 and Boston was in serious danger of seeing the home court advantage slip away once again. Chicago’s lead was ten with 7:18 left when Rajon Rondo hit a pair of buckets, Ray Allen dropped a three-pointer and Rondo then wrapped up a 9-0 run with a layup and the Celtics were back within one with 4:32 left on the clock. Chicago boosted their lead back to five after John Salmons and Ben Gordon hit three-pointers between a pair of free-throws from Pierce. It was Pierce who tied the game at 91-91 with a layup but Gordon put the Bulls in position to win when he hit a 17-foot jumper with 16 seconds left. That wouldn’t be enough though as Pierce answered with a 15-footer with 10 seconds on the clock and Gordon’s jumper at the buzzer missed and the game went to overtime.

Pierce put Boston up by three 104-101 with 36 seconds left in OT but Gordon was fouled on a three-point attempt and he sank all three to tie the game with 27 seconds on the clock. Pierce then sank a 20-footer with 3 seconds left but the Bulls had a golden opportunity to tie the game as Brad Miller was fouled but missed the first of his free-throws and after intentionally missing the second Boston took possession and held on for the win.

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