Like A Fine Wine…

Posted by Adam Hart May 3, 2009 at 12:30 am

…The Celtics prove that in the NBA Playoffs, one gets better with age.

Some have already put the series among the best in NBA Playoffs history. The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls took their first round matchup a full seven games, with a record four games needing overtime to decide the outcome.

Veterans Paul Pierce and Ray Allen scored at an even pace, leading the Celtics with 20 and 23 points, respectively. Both players made playoff runs in their younger years, but have learned that it takes a team effort to win the tough games. Game 7’s 109-99 victory was one such game.

In the first quarter, though, it did not appear that the Bulls were shaken by any lack of experience. Chicago led 27-23 after the first quarter, but Boston outscored the Bulls 29-11 in the second.

“They got off to a great start, and I thought that was important for them being young,” head coach Doc Rivers said. “We weathered their storm and just hung in there, and finally until the second quarter we made a run. I’m assuming it had to have something to do with it. Paul and Ray, not only just last year, they’ve been in the playoffs — I mean, they’ve been in the league for 50 years.”

He said that last comment with a laugh.