Over the past two years, no superstar in professional sports in the United States has been more criticized or demonized by fans than LeBron James of the Miami Heat. With the distinction as a quitter with no ability to come through in the clutch and seemingly unwilling to take the last shot with the game on the line, LeBron has been labeled another superstar that might never win an NBA title like Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and Patrick Ewing.

Coming into Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat were facing elimination for the first time in the 2012 NBA playoffs. The Celtics had taken complete control of this series after the Heat had gotten out to a 2-0 lead. With three straight wins, Boston believed they’d be able to close-out Miami in Beantown at TD Garden.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, that didn’t happen as LeBron and company came to play on Thursday night in Boston. Even though the Celtics have become the clear favorites to win the series and advance to the NBA Finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron put the team on his back to lead the Heat passed the Celtics in Game 6, 98-79.

With a game-high 45 points and 15 rebounds, LeBron single-handedly destroyed the Celtics on their home floor. After scoring 30 points in the first half, LeBron showed that he had no intention of going home early and was destined to force an epic Game 7 back in South Beach.

Chris Bosh (7 points, 6 rebounds) had little impact for a second straight game after coming back from injury as did Dwyane Wade with 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting, but LeBron was the difference maker and the reason the Heat are still alive in the playoffs moving forward.

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