2 May 2009

Bulls battle past Celtics in triple OT to tie series

7:31 am on 2 May 2009

The Chicago Bulls have pipped the Boston Celtics 128-127 in a triple overtime thriller to send their National Basketball Association to send their Eastern Conference first-round play-off series to a deciding seventh game.

A steal, slam-dunk and free throw by centre Joakim Noah with 35 seconds to play put the Bulls up for good after they'd had blown a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Forward John Salmons top-scored for the Bulls with 35 points, including a key layup with two minutes left in double overtime.

The Boston guard Ray Allen led all with a career play-off high 51 points, including a long range three-pointer to tie with seven seconds left in the second overtime.

The series decider's in Boston on Sunday with the winners to face the Orlando Magic, who beat the 76ers 114-89 in Philadelphia to win their series 4-2.