Bulls-Celtics is the NBA's tightest playoff series in 14 years

This Bulls-Celtics playoff series is the first in NBA history to have three games go to overtime. There have also been four games decided by 3 points or less, which is a very rare occurrence.

The last playoff series to match that level of competitiveness happened 14 years ago. New York and Indiana actually did this series one better with four games decided by 2 points or less. That one began with Reggie Miller hitting two 3-pointers in about six seconds late in Game 1 and ended with Patrick Ewing's missed finger roll in Game 7.

The series that probably ranks as the most competitive in league history was the 1981 Eastern Conference finals between Larry Bird's Celtics and Julius Erving's 76ers. That one featured five games decided by either 1 or 2 points. Boston trailed the series 3-1, then won the next three games by a total of 5 points.

The Daily Herald research bureau found just one other series in the last 40 years that can match the Bulls-Celtics standard of four games decided by 3 points or less. That was a second-round matchup between Philadelphia and San Antonio in 1979. If that series had a defining moment, I missed it.

Here are some honorable mentions for most competitive NBA playoff series:

--The 2007 East finals between Detroit and Cleveland featured four games decided by 4 points or less. Everyone remembers LeBron James' monster performance in Game 5, but the first two contests were settled by identical scores of 79-76. Yuck.

--A second-round series between Dallas and San Antonio in 2006 had three games decided by 2 points or less, plus two more that went to overtime. That one had a memorable Game 7 when Manu Ginobili hit a 3-pointer in the waning seconds, then fouled Dirk Nowitzki and gave up a tying 3-point play. The Mavs won in overtime.

--Miami and New York played a seven game series in the 2000 second round that had four games decided by 4 points or less and no margin greater than 8 points.

--The '98 Bulls-Jazz is a strong candidate for the best Finals series ever. The Bulls won Game 3 by 42 points, but the other five games were settled by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 points.

--The Bulls and Utah would get a run for their money from the consecutive Finals between Boston and the St. Louis Hawks in 1957 and '58. Both series had four games decided by 3 points or less. Tough times for Red Auerbach's victory cigar.