Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

That’s why we around here love hoops so very very very much.

Chicago 128, Boston 127.

In an NBA playoff series already being considered among the best if not the best ever contested, the Bulls and Celtics managed to kick it up yet another notch. Even beyond 11. In the six games there have been 7 overtimes, over a hundred lead changes, and more than half a hundred ties.

Three OTs and enough twists and turns to fell Sherlock Holmes.

Ray Allen tossed in a couple of astounding shots. They were among his 50+ points on the night.

Brad Miller canned some major shots and four pivotal FTs, after missing a couple that might have changed the course of Game Five.

Rajon Rondo made an important follow shot. He had 19 assists. And nary a turnover. None. As in zero miscues.

Kirk Hinrich, the ever steady Kirk Hinrich, missed a wide open layup on a brilliant out of bounds play. It would have sealed at least a tie for the Bulls. Instead the tension continued.

Derrick Rose missed a couple of freebies near the third OT buzzer that gave the Celts a last second chance to win it. Buuuuuuuuuut, they came after he made one of the most astounding blocks I’ve ever seen, propelling himself to swat away a Rondo jumper.

Joakim Noah made the defensive play of the night, a steal at the top of the key, then outrunning Paul Pierce for a slam plus one. It was Pierce’s sixth foul. Ben Gordon, the Bulls’ ace scorer was already long gone.

A couple of Celtics’ jumpers — one by Pierce, one by House — that but for a nanometer of shoe leather on the line were twos instead of threes. Another point on either and the game would have gone down a different road.

Back and forth, back and forth, then back and forth again.

Astounding. Unbelievable. The teams have played 7 overtimes now in six games. (Did I mention that already? Okay, let it really sink in.) Astonishing. The descriptors are beyond hyperbole.

So I know where I’ll be Derby night. In front of the TV for Game Seven. I don’t see how it can come close to be as compelling as the series has been up to here. Then again, this is something special, and I’m willing to rearrange my whole Derby social schedule to accommodate the game. (Okay, that’s a lie. The Mrs. and I don’t have any plans for Saturday night — Kim Kardashian simply doesn’t call like she used to — but I would have altered plans to see the game, if necessary. Maybe I’ll invite Cyb and Trish Barnstable over to kick back and watch some ball.)

All I can say is Wow!!!!!!

– Seedy K