NBA: Chicago 128, Boston 127 (3OT)

CHICAGO, April 30 (UPI) -- A blocked shot by Derrick Rose with 5 seconds to play in the third overtime Thursday finally brought Chicago an epic 128-127 playoff victory over Boston.

Having played four overtime games in their opening-round series, including three in a row, the Bulls and defending NBA champion Celtics will play a seventh and deciding contest Saturday in Boston. The winner will on Orlando in the second round, the Magic having advanced Thursday by taking out Philadelphia in six games.

Boston's Ray Allen scored 51 points, the most he has ever produced in a 13-year NBA career, and hit a 3-pointer that tied the game with 7 seconds to go in the second overtime. His effort was not enough, however, to overcome the combined 86 points from John Salmons, Rose and Brad Miller.

Miller's layup with 30 seconds left delivered the final points of the fourth quarter, Salmons scored the last points of the first overtime with 32 seconds left and Rose made the key play in the third overtime.

With Boston trailing by a point and time running out, Rajon Rondo had his path to the basket blocked by Rose and tried to put up a short jumper. Rose swatted it away and chased down the loose ball.

Rose was fouled heading to the basket, but wound up missing both free throw attempts with 3.2 seconds left. Boston had no time outs remaining and Rondo's desperation 3-point attempt from mid-court bounced off the backboard.

Salmons scored 35 points, Rose had 28 and Miller 23. Miller, who missed a free throw in the final seconds of Boston's win Tuesday after having his face bloodied by an elbow thrown by Rondo, made all eight of his foul shots Thursday.