"We've done it before," said captain Paul Pierce. "We were confident coming into our building in Game 7."
Since 1957, the Celtics are 17-3 at home in seventh games. Bill Russell was 10-0 in Game 7s.
Blessed with hearts as large as Big Baby's head, these depleted defending champs now advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. After the Bruins play Game 2 of their series with Carolina tonight, the Celtics open Round 2 tomorrow night at home against Superman Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. So even though the Bulls are done, the bull gang is going to be very busy in the big barn on Causeway Street.
"I'm proud of our guys," said Doc Rivers. "The Bulls were phenomenal in this series, but I'm really proud of our entire team. Our bench hadn't given us much, but they came through tonight."
Amen, Doctor. Eddie House torched the Bulls hitting 5 of 5 floor shots, four of them from 3-point range. Pine brother Jackie Moon Scalabrine added 8 points and the Celtics got unexpected help from missing persons Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore.
There is no "I" in ubuntu.
There was significant pregame anxiety about the finale because Chicago proved to be perhaps the toughest No. 7 seed in the history of basketball and the Celtics were again playing without their 21st century Russell: Kevin Garnett.
The faux ambiguity regarding Garnett's status dominated the 36 hours leading to Game 7. It was wacky and ridiculous. Based on all statements and evidence, there was no way Garnett was going to play. Still, we wondered. No matter how many times Danny Ainge and Rivers closed the door on Garnett's return, the topic resurfaced. It was downright Elvis-like. Would KG burst out of the locker room at 8 p.m. and carry the Celtics into the second round?
No. There was no KG during warm-ups. There was no KG running out for introductions. When he finally appeared he was dressed in a beautifully tailored suit.
