With 41 minutes of playing time Saturday, John Salmons more than doubled his previous playoff total.
Tyrus Thomas scored six of his 16 points in overtime, including the game-winning jumper, after playing mere spot minutes in the Bulls’ 2007 playoff run.
Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah never had appeared in an NBA playoff game, yet Rose dropped a career-high 36 points on the Celtics, while Noah had 11 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks in the 105-103 victory.
So much for the angle about the inexperienced Bulls and battle-tested defending NBA champion Celtics.
“Somebody asked me before about him not having playoff experience,” guard Ben Gordon said of Rose. “I said he doesn’t need it. He’s poised beyond his years. He already carries himself like a veteran.”
Gordon’s words could have applied to all the Bulls’ playoff neophytes, who thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.
“Wow, I had fun,” Salmons said. “Kirk [Hinrich] told BG and he told everyone else to try to lose yourself in the game and not worry about what’s going on. I just tried to play hard and not worry about anything, my shot not falling. Just stay in the moment and play hard.”
Thomas often isn’t even in the game for stretch runs but calmly drained three jumpers in the extra session as he shot 8-for-12 overall.
“I don’t really care about pressure,” Thomas said. “There’s more at stake but it’s just basketball. The last time I played in the playoffs, my role wasn’t that big. But we did a good job of stepping up.”
If Paul Pierce had made both free throws with 2.6 seconds left in regulation, Noah might have been singing a different tune. Replays indicated Noah blocked Pierce’s shot before making minor contact on his wrist, but he drew the foul and sweated out Pierce splitting two free throws to tie the game.
“Oh, man, that was a big missed free throw,” Noah said. “There was a little bit of contact. I’m just happy he missed the shot.”
And even happier he’s getting playoff experience.
“I wasn’t fazed at all,” Noah said. “I feel like we’ve all played on a pretty big stage at the college level with all your friends and family watching. We just competed real hard. It’s good for our confidence.”
