10 best performances in the NBA Playoffs from the last 40 years

3. LeBron James, 2012 Eastern Conference Finals Game 6

The first year of LeBron James’ transition to the Miami Heat began and concluded in shame. The Decision show was not well-received nor was the Heat’s preseason pep rally. The season wrapped with the Heat losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals. LeBron was crucified in the media for his lackluster performance.

As expected LeBron and the Heat were out for redemption during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. The Heat posted a 28-5 home record en route to finishing second in the Eastern Conference. After snuffing out the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, the Heat secured a date with the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals. Boston prompted LeBron to sign with Miami in the first place and was his most bitter rival.

After dropping the first two games, the Celtics built a 3-2 series lead. They had a chance to once again end James’ season at TD Garden in Game 6. Two years earlier, James walked off the court in Boston after his Cavaliers were eliminated in Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals. The low feeling was not lost on him.

A stoic LeBron James came out firing and quickly silenced the crowd. LeBron made virtually every kind of shot, scoring 30 points on 12-14 shooting in the first half. The normally raucous crowd at TD Garden was eerily quiet all night, as if they were at a funeral. It turns out they were at a funeral and LeBron was the eulogist from hell.

The Heat ran away with the victory and Celtics’ fans would never see their team in Boston again that season. LeBron James finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in the win. Most impressively, James shot 73 percent from the field in what was one of the more masterful performances in his illustrious career.