Gordon's efforts in line with mates
CHICAGO - There were many times yesterday when the Chicago Bulls seemed almost determined to let the Celtics grab a 3-1 lead in their playoff series. There were missed free throws, careless turnovers, and questionable shots. But instead of an opportunity that slipped away, Chicago's 121-118 double-overtime victory will be remembered as the day Ben Gordon earned a place on the tapestry of iconic Chicago playoff moments.
It was Gordon himself who helped create the fragile position the Bulls found themselves in. With the Celtics leading, 108-106, with 17.1 seconds left in the first overtime, Gordon drove to the basket only to be knocked hard to the floor by Glen Davis. Gordon had to stay on the court for a few seconds to shake off the hit.
In what was a problem all day for the Bulls, the fifth-year guard encountered trouble at the free throw line, only getting the second of two to fall. When Ray Allen calmly knocked down two foul shots with 9.0 seconds left, Chicago's prospects seemed grim at best.
After a timeout, Gordon took the inbounds pass and gave it to John Salmons, who immediately gave the ball back. Gordon circled to the right side, getting away from Paul Pierce, and let fly. When his 3-point shot hit nothing but net, Gordon had hit arguably the franchise's biggest basket since Michael Jordan nailed a jumper in Utah in June 1998, propelling the team to its last championship.
"It was a misdirection," Gordon said of the shot. "I wasn't quite open to shoot the ball right away. I took one dribble to the side and created some space. It felt really good."
Salmons, who said the game was the most exciting he ever had played in, said that the team - as well as the rest of the NBA - knows the identity of the Bulls' go-to guy.
"In those clutch situations, we are definitely going to [Gordon]," Salmons said. "I think everybody knows we are going to BG. He's our man."
When Gordon, who finished with 22 points, scored on a 17-foot jump shot in the first possession of the second overtime, the Bulls had a lead they would not relinquish.
That Gordon was even in position to make the key shot was a testament to his being able to play through a sore left hamstring, which he said he injured late in the second quarter when teammate Tyrus Thomas was called for offensive goaltending.
"I felt something pop when I was driving," Gordon said. "Hopefully it is not too serious."
Gordon said he received a shot at halftime for the pain and will have an MRI today, although he fully expects to play tomorrow night.
Gordon's up-and-down efforts exemplified how the Bulls are a young team still learning how to win. They were 26 of 35 from the line, and Thomas had a chance to salt the game away with 16.6 seconds left in regulation and Chicago ahead, 95-93. Instead he split the two and Allen nailed an open three to tie the game.
"Maybe it's the moment. Maybe it's the playoffs," Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said of the problems from the line. "Guys have to step up and make them."
Guard Kirk Hinrich, who went 1 of 2 with 26.6 seconds in the first overtime, said: "Both teams made their share of mistakes from the free throw line. It happens like that. A minute in the NBA is forever. This game proved that."
Chicago had other problems, including 15 turnovers, seven in the third period. Rookie Derrick Rose, who was the Bulls' leading scorer with 23, had four of the miscues in that stretch.
But at the end of the 213-minute marathon, which featured 28 lead changes and 12 ties, the Bulls did not fade away.
"It's playoff basketball, it is going to be hard-fought," Hinrich said.
"We know how tough the challenge this is, but right now this is a three-game series."
