BOSTON — Fans and media had a rollicking time absorbing this epic Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the Bulls and Celtics.

But not Boston coach Doc Rivers, even though his Celtics prevailed, 109-99, in Saturday night's Game 7 to advance.

"My only thought with this series is that it was hard," Rivers said. "I don't see great, I just saw hard. Maybe years later I will. My kids and my wife kept saying: 'What a great series."'

Paul Pierce had a different opinion after his team survived playing in a record seven overtime sessions.

"This is the best playoff series that I have ever been through," said Pierce, who scored 20 points Saturday. "There were all of the emotional highs and lows. But I thought some of our lows were a little too low."

The seventh-seeded Bulls were not expected to extend the defending champs to seven games.

"I tip my hat to the Bulls, because we really didn't expect them to come in and play the way they did throughout the whole seven games," said Pierce. "We expected them to play hard, but they really pushed us to the limit. This was a great series. Thank goodness we are battle-tested."

Overheard: The Celtics advance to play Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Rivers made sure playbooks and game plans for the Magic were placed in the cars of each of his players before Saturday's Game 7 against the Bulls. ...

The Bulls were limited to 11 points in the second quarter and they trailed 52-38 at the half.

"We turned into the Celtics again," Rivers said. "We started playing defense, getting stops. We talked about it before the game. Multiple stops equals multiple scores."...

Young center Kendrick Perkins felt confident that his Celtics would prevail Saturday night.

"None of them (Bulls) have been there before. We've been here," said Perkins. "We have had a lot of pressure games where we had to go win. It's really nothing to us."...

Rivers was amused by the speculation in the Boston media that injured superstar forward Kevin Garnett might suit up for Game 7.

"I will say Kevin ... today's shootaround was phenomenal," said Rivers with a smile. "He was flying down the floor. Going by the shoot-a-round, he might go the whole game (Saturday night). I wish it was April 1." ... The Celtics got some unexpected first-half offense from Eddie House. His two three-point shots midway through the second quarter helped Boston on an 18-4 run.

Word on the street: Rajon Rondo, a major factor throughout the series, was limited to seven points, but he dished out 11 assists and grabbed five rebounds for the Celtics. Rivers said Rondo did not appear to feel well Saturday. ...

House came off the bench to score 16 points to help catapult the Celtics to victory. But Rivers was more impressed with the defense House displayed. "By him playing defense, it allowed us to keep him on the floor," Rivers said. "And that was really important for us." ...

The maturation of Bulls center Joakim Noah the second half of this season has not gone unnoticed by Rivers. Noah grabbed 15 rebounds Saturday night before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

"That kid can play," Rivers said.