Kenpachi Zaraki
05-04-2009, 09:40 AM
Ray Allen scored 23 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls by four games to three to make the Eastern Conference semis.
After three consecutive overtime contests, the defending champions finally put the troublesome Bulls away in game seven with a dominant performance late in the second quarter when they outscored their opponents 29-11 to take a 13-point lead at half-time.
Chicago held a nine-point advantage at one point but Chicago committed eight turnovers and missed four free throws as Boston scored 23 of the final 26 points in the half to take control of proceedings. Paul Pierce bagged 20 rebounds for tthr Celtics.
With Ben Gordon scoring 33 and Kirk Hinrich making 16, the Bulls rallied in the second half and were able to cut the lead to three points in the final quarter.
But the Celtics sank 11 consecutive attempts from the free-throw line in the final two minutes to close out the win and set up a semi-final meeting with the Orlando Magic beginning on Monday.
After three consecutive overtime contests, the defending champions finally put the troublesome Bulls away in game seven with a dominant performance late in the second quarter when they outscored their opponents 29-11 to take a 13-point lead at half-time.
Chicago held a nine-point advantage at one point but Chicago committed eight turnovers and missed four free throws as Boston scored 23 of the final 26 points in the half to take control of proceedings. Paul Pierce bagged 20 rebounds for tthr Celtics.
With Ben Gordon scoring 33 and Kirk Hinrich making 16, the Bulls rallied in the second half and were able to cut the lead to three points in the final quarter.
But the Celtics sank 11 consecutive attempts from the free-throw line in the final two minutes to close out the win and set up a semi-final meeting with the Orlando Magic beginning on Monday.