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Ball Don't Lie

Fri May 01, 2009 12:30 am EDT

Stern extends Bulls-Celtics series to best-of-11

By J.E. Skeets


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Chicago Bulls-Boston Celtics first round playoff matchup will expand to a best-of-11 series beginning immediately, NBA Commissioner David Stern said late Thursday night from his bed via webcam.

The quick switch from a best-of-seven format, agreed to by the players' union and NBA fans around the globe, means hopefully four more overtime classics between the two proud teams.

"I told the organizations that it would be important for the league to extend this series to 21 games, but [Celtics owner] Wyc [Grousbeck] and [Bulls owner] Jerry [Reinsdorf] said they couldn't go long that and that's too bad," Stern said. "Both owners were worried about killing their franchise players by exhaustion, so best-of-11 it is."

The other series and rounds will remain best-of-seven.

In exchange for agreeing to extend the series, the league will reportedly increase the playoff pool to be divided among players on both the Celtics and Bulls by $50 dollars.

The series is tied 3-3, and Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday in Boston.

Game 8 will tip Monday night in Chicago.

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173 Comments

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  1. John G
    1. Posted by John G Fri May 01, 2009 12:44 am EDT

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    I wish...
  2. Asleep until further notice
    2. Posted by Asleep until further notice Fri May 01, 2009 12:47 am EDT

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    Stop it. Reality trumps your fantasy.
  3. LeBronze Medal
    3. Posted by LeBronze Medal Fri May 01, 2009 12:51 am EDT

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    1st... go BULLS!
  4. dj2212
    4. Posted by dj2212 Fri May 01, 2009 12:51 am EDT

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    haha
  5. Darko Milicic
    5. Posted by Darko Milicic Fri May 01, 2009 12:52 am EDT

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    Go Bulls! Defeat those overrated Celtics!
  6. Ceaser
    6. Posted by Ceaser Fri May 01, 2009 12:56 am EDT

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    U. R. Lame.
  7. Stacy Y
    7. Posted by Stacy Y Fri May 01, 2009 12:56 am EDT

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    lol skeets
  8. jj516
    8. Posted by jj516 Fri May 01, 2009 1:08 am EDT

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    don't post something that is not ture when everyone want to believe is ture.
  9. eozzypoggy
    9. Posted by eozzypoggy Fri May 01, 2009 1:09 am EDT

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    best series of the 1st round...
  10. KD
    10. Posted by KD Fri May 01, 2009 1:27 am EDT

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    Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease be "ture."
  11. sam l
    11. Posted by sam l Fri May 01, 2009 1:48 am EDT

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    boston sucks! i hope rondo gets suspended!
  12. sam l
    12. Posted by sam l Fri May 01, 2009 1:49 am EDT

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    Boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!boston sucks! boston sucks!
  13. sam l
    13. Posted by sam l Fri May 01, 2009 1:50 am EDT

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    I hate how the media favors %#@^# BOSTON. Good thing no one will be calling boston the world champs next year.
  14. tenor1
    14. Posted by tenor1 Fri May 01, 2009 2:24 am EDT

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    wow, it seems like they're just building revenue for the league, it just seems that this could of been ended a few games ago.
  15. Lenard Jay V
    15. Posted by Lenard Jay V Fri May 01, 2009 2:42 am EDT

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    Skeets sucks!!
  16. Force
    16. Posted by Force Fri May 01, 2009 2:43 am EDT

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    Lolz kd!!!!
  17. Spymark
    17. Posted by Spymark Fri May 01, 2009 3:04 am EDT

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    I will nominate this series as the best of all time. Games were full of unbelievable shots and nerve-racking game winnner shots. Wheeee give me more make it best of 9
  18. Chris V
    18. Posted by Chris V Fri May 01, 2009 3:15 am EDT

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    this series should be over, the bulls should have this won already. I'm unbiased, i am not a fan of either of these two teams but one can easily see that the Celtics are allowed to physically beat on their opponents. And with that in their corner its easy to come back in every forth quarter and steal a games(except game 2, that was the only game they deserved). if game 7 is called clean, Chicago should win by at least a 4 point margin.
  19. GayDrian wojnabaldski
    19. Posted by GayDrian wojnabaldski Fri May 01, 2009 3:16 am EDT

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    Lenard jay V sucks even more!!
  20. Chris W
    20. Posted by Chris W Fri May 01, 2009 3:23 am EDT

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    This is the best series in the history of playoff basketball
  21. BrianH
    21. Posted by BrianH Fri May 01, 2009 3:25 am EDT

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    with all the OT's it will end up being 11 games worth of playting time
    BTW - TNT sucks for keeping us from watching all the games the follow these Bulls-Celtics games.
    You have TBS - USE IT
  22. Lakergirl
    22. Posted by Lakergirl Fri May 01, 2009 3:33 am EDT

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    Bulls win series 8-3!!! lol,
  23. David M
    23. Posted by David M Fri May 01, 2009 3:37 am EDT

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    I respected you more than this, Skeets.

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