Updated: June 8, 2012, 3:36 PM ET
LeBron James 19-26 FG | 5-9 FT | 15 REB | 5 AST | 45 PTS | +22

We just witnessed his best ever. Elimination game. On the road. In Boston. Was it better than the Detroit game? Arguably. Considering the stakes, it's hard to top this one. Like a wrecking ball ablaze, there was no stopping LeBron. He nailed 3-point heaves, layups, runners, putback dunks, you name it. The unrivaled talent was on display for the world to see.

Dwyane Wade 6-17 FG | 5-5 FT | 8 REB | 4 AST | 17 PTS | +23

Wade should thank his lucky stars that LeBron is on his team. Wade was terrible in the first half, but LeBron carried the team anyway. There were uninspired jumpers, missed chippies and jogging back on defense, but once again, he turned it on in the second half. If the Heat want to reach the Finals, they need Wade for both halves.

Chris Bosh 3-8 FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 7 PTS | +16

The Heat didn't need him for 40 minutes, and that might be the biggest plus coming from this game. Bosh didn't fill up the scoring column -- LeBron took care of that -- but with Bosh on the floor, it opened the lanes for LeBron to penetrate. Bosh didn't play as much as some people wanted, but his presence in the half court was essential to the Heat's floor spacing.

Shane Battier 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 8 PTS | +17

As quiet as ever, but still incredibly effective. Battier got the Heat off to a great start with some early buckets and pesky defensive plays. His blocks from behind have become sort of a thing for Battier at this point. While LeBron and Wade did their damage offensively, Battier did all the dirty work, and little of it people will remember. As usual.

Boston Celtics

If LeBron is hitting those shots, there's not much the Celtics can do. This wasn't the Celtics' night, despite having won 14 of their previous 15 games in Boston against the Heat. The Celtics simply need more from Paul Pierce and Ray Allen if they want to win Game 7. Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo can't do everything. Going back to Miami.

Grades by Tom Haberstroh


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?