A quick growth spurt

Led by a rookie point guard and a rookie head coach, the Chicago Bulls stunned the Celtics, 105-103, in overtime yesterday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at TD Banknorth Garden.

"We feel like we have nothing to lose," said Bulls guard Ben Gordon. "The pressure's not on us. We just have to go out there and play hard. And that's what we did."

A .500 team in the regular season, the Bulls were decided underdogs in Game 1. The Celtics took the season series with Chicago, 2-1, winning both games in Boston by an average of 17 points. If the Bulls were to mount any kind of challenge in this series, it wasn't expected before Game 3 in Chicago.

"We were definitely fired up," said Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich. "People were talking all year about how we were going to come in and lose in the playoffs."

Veterans Gordon and Hinrich had solid offensive and defensive games, respectively, but point guard Derrick Rose stole the game for Chicago. Rose carved up the Celtics' defense all afternoon, blowing past Rajon Rondo and contorting around Boston's backline for layup after layup. Rose's 36 points tied an NBA record for most by a rookie in a playoff debut (Milwaukee's Lew Alcindor did it March 25, 1970). The 20-year-old also dished out 11 assists in 50 minutes.

"Somebody asked me before about him having playoff experience," said Gordon (20 points). "He doesn't need it. He's poised beyond his years. He already carries himself like a veteran."

Rose wasn't the only young Bull to play beyond his experience level. Second-year center Joakim Noah converted his unlimited energy into 11 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Tyrus Thomas, a teammate of Celtics forward Glen Davis at LSU, chipped in with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

"We've got to do a better job starting the games and not giving a young team like the Bulls some confidence," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "And that was one thing we said, a young team like that, once they get their confidence, they can start rolling. And that's what happened."

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is aware his team isn't supposed to advance past the first round. But he also knows that his team has one more game of playoff experience than it did yesterday morning.

"All of these experiences are only going to help us," said Del Negro. "It definitely helps as the games go on, and the moments get bigger. And what it does to a young team like us, it builds confidence, shows you the level that we can play at . . . and we know what it takes to get to that level."

Gary Dzen can be reached at gdzen@boston.com