Bulls match '98 champs in one category

This is the 57th playoff series in Bulls franchise history. So how many of those series have had at least 3 games decided by 3 points or less, which has happened already in this Bulls-Celtics skirmish?

The answer is two – the last two series of the Michael Jordan era, in fact. In the 1998 Eastern Conference finals, all three Indiana wins at Market Square Arena were by either 2 or 3 points. Then in the '98 Finals, Utah won Game 1 by 3, Game 5 by 2 and lost the decisive, historic Game 6 by 1.

The recent standard for most competitive first-round series is probably Cleveland-Washington in 2006, when the Cavs won three of the six games by 1 point. This year's Orlando-Philadelphia series also has three of four games decided by 3 points or less.

BREAKING DOWN MISSED CHANCES
While Sunday's Game 4 was going on, I began making a mental list of all the Bulls' missed opportunities to take control of the contest.

They coughed up 7-point leads in both the second and third quarters in a matter of seconds. They were beaten in both second-chance points (20-9) and fast-break points (16-15). They missed 4 free throws in late-game clutch situations.

As far as I could tell, no one got a chance to ask Tyrus Thomas why he kept the ball after grabbing a defensive rebound with 16.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Derrick Rose was right in front of him calling for it. Then again, Rose might have missed a free throw, too.

Not sure what letter grade Paul Pierce would give this one, but the Celtics clearly did not bring their 'A' game. Pierce wasn't very good, even though he finished with 29 points. He hit 9 of 24 shots and added 6 turnovers.

The most surprising stat of the game might have come at halftime when the Bulls had just 3 turnovers, compared to Boston's 8. The final tally was 21 turnovers for Boston and 16 for the Bulls.

BOSTON PLAYS THIN
The Celtics' limited depth was apparent in this one. Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo did most of the scoring, although center Kendrick Perkins (15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks) played well until fouling out.

Glen Davis doesn't figure to score 26 points very often like he did in Game 2. On Sunday, he hit 4 of 16 shots for 10 points, but you could make a good argument that Davis was Boston's most valuable player. His screens were effective and his moving screens were devastating.

The Celtics got 11 points off the bench, but it's hard to complain when they get a 3-pointer from Brian Scalabrine. Credit the Bulls for realizing Rose will blow past Eddie House every time.

FLAGRANT REPLAY PAYS OFF
It's a good thing the NBA changed the replay rules to include flagrant fouls. After Brad Miller took exception to a Glen Davis hard foul with 10:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, referee Bill Kennedy clearly gave Miller the thumb, as in ejected.

But when the referees watched the replays, they saw the same thing the viewing public did – but not the fans inside the United Center, because it was never shown on the scoreboard: Davis' head jerk was a complete flop, not the result of a Miller punch.

The call was changed to a technical foul on Miller, but even that seemed debatable.

PLANNING AHEAD
This just in from the league office: Thursday's Game 6 at the United Center has three potential start times.
--If there is a Lakers-Utah Game 6 (unlikely), the Bulls will tip off at 7 p.m.
--If the Lakers series ends in 5 and Portland beats Houston on Tuesday to force a Game 6, then the Bulls will start early at 6 p.m.
--If both the Lakers and Houston win their series in five games, the Bulls will be pushed back to the second half of a TNT doubleheader (after Orlando-Philadelphia) and start at 8:30 local time.

INSTANT CLASSIC
Sunday's Bulls-Celtics game jumped right onto the ESPN Classic schedule on Monday at 4 p.m.