Let's look at the pieces as a means of getting an understandable grasp of the whole.

Boston

Ray Allen's performance was stunning. Who could keep track of the incredible clutch shots that highlighted his 51 points? And does anybody in the league use screens better than him? Or have a quicker shot release? And to demonstrate his versatility, Allen even began the game by successfully posting-up Ben Gordon. A certified Hall-of-Fame game by the sharpshooting veteran.

After Paul Pierce's nose was bloodied, he had a brief stretch of knock-down shooting that helped Boston close the gap near the end of regulation. But Kirk Hinrich's pesky defense, plus Chicago's two-timing PP on the move, led to several missed jumpers that would have rescued the game for Boston. Overall, an understandably less-than-spectacular game by Boston's best all-around player.

Glen Davis' improved jumper was of critical importance — as were his six offensive rebounds. Add his 23 points and his crushing screens and Davis almost compensated for the absence of Kevin Garnett. Almost. Too bad Davis couldn't refrain from committing a number of unnecessary fouls that eventually led to his banishment. But Big Baby played his big heart out.

Kendrick Perkins gets better every year. His power anchored Boston's interior defense and offense. He rebounded (13), blocked shots (4), and seemed to score in the paint whenever the Bulls' bigs made mistakes on screen/rolls, slipped screens and ball-penetrations. Unfortunately for Boston, his penchant for fouling was costly. Even so, Perkins played his lane-clogging role to virtual perfection.

Rajon Rondo had a strange game. For the most part, he concentrated on getting the ball into Ray Allen's hot hand — as evidenced by his 19 assists. If Rondo was the epitome of a field general (zero turnovers in 57 minutes is astounding), he couldn't change gears and score when he had to — missing all four of the jumpers he attempted, bricking four layups, and shooting a combined 4-17. A good game, but not quite good enough.

Brian Scalabrine contributed seven points, a block and terrific positional play. He certainly did a yeoman's job out there, but he's not a game-changer.

Tony Allen played above-average defense on variously Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon. That's what he does, and that's what he did. A layup that he missed in the fourth quarter might have made a huge difference.

Eddie House's sad-sack defense was attacked by whomever he tried to defend. He did drop a key bucket in the third overtime, but otherwise did more harm than good.

Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore were just along for the ride.

What will the Celtics have to do to win on Saturday?

Chicago

John Salmons had an extraordinary game — 35 big points, four assists, and hard-nosed defense against Pierce. If Salmons likes to massage the ball for a few counts before he makes his move (or his pass), and if he's also prone to taking ill-advised shots, he was certainly Mister Clutch in Game 6.

Tyrus Thomas jumped around, made poor decisions on both ends of the game, and played scared. No wonder he saw no daylight during the extra periods.

Joakim Noah's quickness, length, springy defense and perpetual hustle were major factors. And, of course, it was Noah's steal, breakaway dunk and made free throw that cinched the game. The young man has learned to subdue his ego, and eagerly accept what he can and cannot do.

Ben Gordon was both hobbled and frustrated by his latest leg injury that deprived him of his accustomed lift and his ability to change direction in a flash. His frustration led him to force too many shots — many of which were hoisted up in response to his having been used on defense on the preceding play. The only positive to emerge from Gordon's unsatisfactory performance is that he only played 31 minutes before fouling out. Perhaps the unexpected rest will do him some good.

For the most part, Derrick Rose was denied the middle and allowed to shoot his jumper. Rose shot 12-25 overall, which included 8-of-15 jays and added up to 25 points. The only layups he scored came on a couple of backdoor cuts, plus a determined drive in the last period when Boston's interior defense was compromised with Davis and Perkins both having fouled out. Although he did distribute seven assists, Rose's passing in the paint was decidedly shaky — hence his five turnovers. Indeed, he often seemed hesitant when he did manage to penetrate and, fearful of getting his shots rejected, he forced too many passes in close quarters.

Brad Miller hit a key triple, a slow-motion layup, made all of his free throws, snatched 10 rebounds, and played like the savvy veteran that he is. Sure he made several mistakes (four TOs), most of them resulting from his lack of both foot- and hand-speed. But his missed free throws in Game 5 are a distant memory, and the slow, floor-bound guy did what he had to do when he had to do it.

Kirk Hinrich played extraordinary defense on Pierce, hit several important jumpers, and his alert passwork set up seven buckets for his teammates. But perhaps the most amazing thing he did was to block a shot by Davis. From baseline to baseline, Hinrich is a winner.

What do the Bulls have to do in order to win Game 7 in Boston?