Number 4: Game 4 against the Boston Celtics
April 26, 2009, Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs
Chicago Bulls: 121
Boston Celtics: 118
F/2OT
The Situation:
An up-and-coming Chicago Bulls team faced off against the defending NBA champions Boston Celtics. The matchup was only one-sided on paper.
The Game:
Game-saving shot after game-saving shot. After the Chicago Bulls took a 96-93 lead in regulation on a Ben Gordon layup and a Tyrus Thomas free throw, the Celtics Ray Allen tied the game with a 3-point field goal with ten seconds remaining in regulation.
With the Celtics up two in overtime with 36 seconds remaining, John Salmons swiped the ball from Paul Pierce , Joakim Noah retrieved it and made a quick pass to Kirk Hinrich who was already streaking down towards the other end of the court. The Celtics fouled Hinrich and he made one of two free throws to bring the score to 107-106 in favor of the Celtics with 26 seconds remaining. The Bulls received the ball back due to a clear path foul call on the previous Kirk Hirich foul but were unable to convert. The Celtics rebounded the Bulls miss and gained possession with 19 seconds remaining in the game, forcing the Bulls to foul. Paul Pierce made one of two free throws to bring the game to 108-106 with 17 seconds remaining on the clock. On the following possession, Ben Gordon made one of two free throws bringing the score to 108-107. The Bulls fouled Ray Allen who made both free throws extending the Celtics lead to three points with nine seconds remaining. On the next possession, Ben Gordon saved the day with a game tying 3-pointer to force a second overtime.
In the second overtime, John Salmons made a pair of free throws with just under 17 seconds remaining to give the Chicago Bulls a 121-118 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The game ended when Salmons blocked Pierce’s shot and the Bulls gathered the loose ball.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Quotable:
Bulls shooting guard Ben Gordon provided perspective on what the Game 4 victory meant for this Chicago Bulls team.
"This is the biggest game of the year for us, the biggest game of our careers right now. It was a big win for us. It was exciting. –Quote obtained by the Associated Press, content published on April 27, 2009 on ESPN’s website."
John Salmons provided a reason for why this team was able to win despite the circumstances stacked up against them.
"This team has a lot of heart, has a lot of character. —Quote obtained by the Associated Press, content published on April 2007 on ESPN’s website."
The Chicago Bulls lost the series in seven games. However, this series will go down forever as the time when this young Bulls team finally came into their own and showed their potential for the future.
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