Flashback #84: Bulls-Celtics Triple Overtime Playoff Game (2009)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

April 30, 2009 - Bulls beat the Celtics in Game 6 of the 2009 NBA Playoffs

The Bulls-Celtics series in the first round of the 2009 playoffs was about as exciting as an early playoff round can get.

Four of the series' seven games went to overtime.

Heading into Game 6, the Bulls - led by Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose - trailed the Celtics 3-2 and needed a win at the United Center to keep their season alive.

The Bulls trailed 99-91 with 3:35 left, but that's when Rose stepped up with a jumper, starting a 10-2 run to tie it and force the first overtime.

With the game tied in the first over time, Glen Davis sank a shot-clock-beating jumper over Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich with 40.1 seconds left. But John Salmons, who scored a playoff career-high 35 points, drove and scored with 23.5 seconds left, forcing the second overtime.

Fast forward to the third overtime, it was Joakim Noah's fast-break dunk and three-point play that will be the lasting image from this game. With the game tied 123-123, Noah raced down the court and dunked on Paul Pierce, causing Pierce to foul out of the game.

The three-point lead hoisted the Bulls to victory, as they won, 128-127, forcing a Game 7.

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »