Miami Heat: Top 10 greatest single-game performances in history

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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 7: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat attempts a shot against Greg Stiemsma #54 and Mickael Pietrus #28 of the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 7, 2012 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No.5: LeBron James

June 7, 2012 vs. Boston Celtics
(Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals)

45 points (19-26), 15 rebounds, 5 assists

The Big Three’s 2010-11 season went almost as planned.

They made it out of the East before ultimately losing the NBA Finals in six games to Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks. James was still without his first championship ring.

Fast-forward to nearly a year later, the Big Three found themselves, once again, in danger of elimination, down 2-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Hungry for his first ring that has eluded him for eight seasons, James was determined to even the series and shift the odds back to Miami for the deciding seventh game.

In a heroic performance, he did just that.

James deflated the Boston fans packed inside the TD Garden and stifled the Celtics’ momentum, dropping a game-high 45 points and nabbing 15 rebounds.

With the season on the line, he controlled the game while Boston’s big four of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo couldn’t get anything going.

The series was sent back to Miami where the Heat defeated the Celtics in Game 7.

It was, once again, led by James, who recorded another double-double, recording 31 points and 12 rebounds. His Game 7 performance could also make it onto this list, but James’ Game 6 masterpiece showed extreme intestinal fortitude when playing an elimination game on the road and having their backs to the wall, which is all the more impressive.

Miami would eventually stream roll through the NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, capturing James the first championship of his career.

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