Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls contest an historic NBA playoff series with four overtime games

An NBA playoff series had never seen more than two overtime games in its history. Until now. The Boston Celtics and the Chicago bulls contested what many are calling the greatest first-round series in NBA history, with four of the games going into overtime, including a three-overtime thriller in Game 6. The series featured incredible point guard play from the Celtics' Rajon Rondo, who averaged double figures in three statistical categories and from the Bull's stellar Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose. The match-up of former Connecticut shooting guards Ray Allen and Ben Gordon was electric as well, with Allen pouring in 51 points in one game and Gordon scoring 42 in another. The series grew more physical as the games went by, with both teams redefining the term "playoff foul." In the end, the more experienced Celtics prevailed, but the young Bulls team served notice that they will be a force next season. The playoffs are generating a huge amount of great images, and I'll share the rest of them in a later post. ( 27 photos total)

The intensity of the series shows on the faces of the Celtics' Eddie House, left, during Game 7 and the Bulls' Joakim Noah during Game 1. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff) (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas falls and hangs onto the ball after being fouled by Celtics forward Glen Davis, left, as Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo tries to get the ball during the overtime period of Game 1 in Boston April 18. The Bulls won 105-103. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) #

The Celtics' Rajon Rondo loses the ball to the Bulls' John Salmons with less than 15 seconds left in regulation of Game 1. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Celtics' Paul Pierce grimaces as he loses the ball after being fouled late in regulation, but he missed the second of his two free throws, which sent the game into overtime, where Chicago prevailed 105-103. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Front row Celtics fans were fired up late in the game as the Bulls' Derrick Rose inbounds the ball. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Celtics' Kendrick Perkins, right, and the Bulls' Joakim Noah fight for a loose ball during Game 2 April 20. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) #

The Celtics' Ray Allen, left, is fouled by the Bulls' Tyrus Thomas during Game 2 April 20. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) #

A rather beefy dance troupe called "The Matadors," who are regulars at the United Center in Chicago, entertain the crowd during Game 3 April 23. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

As the Celtics build up a big Game 3 lead the bench got so excited that when they leaped up in celebration, Kendrick Perkins, left, and Kevin Garnett banged heads. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Bulls' Derrick Rose leans in near a Celtics huddle during Game 3. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) #

After practice at McGrath Arena at DePaul University in Chicago, Celtics captain Paul Pierce drew some looks as he headed for the waiting team bus outside the gym. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Celtics' Bill Walker isn't really auditioning for a spot on the "Luvabulls," the Bulls' dance team, he's just following through on a shot while both he and the dancers share the floor for warm ups. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, left, argues with an official after a call in Game 4 April 26. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Bulls Kirk Hinrich, right, and the Celtics' Kendrick Perkins, left, and Glen Davis disagree on who has posseion of the ball during Game 4. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Bulls' center Joakim Noah chases a loose ball in front of the Celtics' Paul Pierce, left, and Kendrick Perkins during Game 5 April 28. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) #

The Bulls' Brad Miller, left, and the Celtics' Kendrick Perkins battle for a loose ball during Game 5. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis reacts after being fouled during Game 5. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) #

The Bulls' Brad Miller has his cut tended to after he was fouled by the Celtics' Rajon Rondo in the final seconds of Game 5. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Paul Pierce celebrated with Celtics head coach Doc Rivers after hitting the game-winning shot in overtime against the Bulls in Game 5, giving the Celtics a 3-2 series lead. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Bulls head coach Vinny Del Negro, left, grabs Kirk Hinrich as referees separate him and Rajon Rondo of the Celtics after an altercation in Game 6 April 30. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) #

The Bulls' Joakim Noah celebrates after the Bulls defeated the Celtics 128-127 in triple overtime during Game 6. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) #

Celtics cheerleaders are aglow during pre-game ceremonies during Game 7 May 6. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Celtics' Rajon Rondo goes sailing courtesy of a foul by the Bulls' Joakim Noah during Game 7. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Celtics' Paul Pierce, left, loses control of the ball in front of the Bulls' John Salmons during Game 7. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) #

The Celtics' Rajon Rondo gets a punch in the stomach as he drives against the Bulls' Brad Miller, right, and Ben Gordon during Game 7. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) #

The Bulls' Joakim Noah reacts near the end of an emotional loss in Game 7. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) #

Celtics fans celebrate outside TD BankNorth Garden in Boston after the Celtics defeated the Bulls in game 7. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) #

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Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls contest an historic NBA playoff series with four overtime games