Boston Celtics: 10 Best Games of the 2012 NBA Regular Season

It certainly has been an interesting season for the Celtics. The first half was like a roller coaster, with long winning streaks followed by long losing streaks.

However, in the second half of the season, the Celtics turned it on and played some of their best basketball. Throughout the whole season, the Celtics have treated us to some great games.

With the playoffs just days away, these games should serve as a reminder of what this team can do and just how good they are when they play at their best.

10. Celtics Beat the 76ers 103-79

This was just a great all-around game for the Celtics; everyone did their job.

As a team, they shot nearly 60 percent from the field and had five players in double-digit scoring. On top of that, 32 of the 40 field goals in the game were assisted, due in large part to Rajon Rondo's 15 assists.

The other four starters — Garnett, Bradley, Bass and Pierce — had 20, 18, 18 and 17 points, respectively. Not to mention this game was against the 76ers, a team the Celtics were battling closely with for playoff position at the time.

9. Celtics Beat Rockets 97-92 in Overtime

The truth hurts.

And the Houston Rockets could certainly attest to that, after Paul Pierce netted 30 points, seven coming in overtime, to lift the Celtics over the Rockets on March 6.

To be honest, Pierce really bailed the C's out.

As a team, it was not their best game. It seemed Kevin Garnett, who had 13 rebounds, was the only one who hit the boards, as the Celtics were out-rebounded 57-38.

The Pierce's leadership and clutch play set this game apart and make it the ninth best game of the season for the Celtics.

8. Celtics Beat Bulls 95-91

This game reminded of when Larry Bird played against the Lakers when they were without Magic Johnson.

Before the game, Larry told Magic to sit back and watch the show he was about to put on. True to his word, Larry Legend lit it up and dominated in every aspect of the game.

Well, Rondo pulled a Bird in this one by putting on a great show for an injured Derrick Rose.

Without a doubt, it was the best game of the season for Rondo and possibly his best game as a professional.

He recorded a triple-double that included 32 points, 15 assists (for those scoring at home, he accounted for 62 of the teams 95 points) and 10 rebounds. He may not be Larry Bird, but he certainly did his best Bird impression in this one.

7. Celtics Beat Hawks 88-86 in Overtime

Speaking of Rondo triple-doubles, he recorded yet another one against the Hawks on April 11. However, it was, by no means, a one-man show.

Both Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett complemented Rondo's triple-double with double-doubles of their own, including more than 20 points each.

Perhaps the most surprising stat of the game was the Celtics 56-39 rebounding edge. The C's truly flipped the script in this game by being the dominant team on the boards.

Most importantly, though, this game could be a deciding factor to give the Celtics home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

6. Celtics Beat the Knicks 91-89

I first saw Jeremy Lin play during this February 3 game, and I was not nearly impressed.

He played just seven minutes and went 0-3 from the field. The next day though, Linsanity hit, and he began to put the league on notice with a string of dominant performances.

Perhaps he took notes during this game because Paul Pierce certainly gave a lesson on how to score.

He netted 30 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. In the end, it would be the Celtics defense that won the game, as they forced tough shots for the Knicks on the final few possessions.

If only Linsanity had hit one day earlier, the C's may not have been able to escape this one with a win.

5. Celtics Beat Knicks 115-111 in Overtime

Something about the Knicks just makes Paul Pierce bring his A-game.

He led all scorers with 34 points, including a clutch, contested three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

However, his performance would be overshadowed by yet another triple-double by Rajon Rondo, and in fact, it was one of the most impressive triple-doubles since Magic Johnson.

It wasn't just a normal triple-double; it was a super triple-double that consisted of 18 points, 20 assists and 17 rebounds. Without exaggeration, it was one of the best all-around games ever.

4. Celtics Beat the Heat 115-107

Before the game, Ray Allen was shown urging each and every player to take the Miami crowd out of the game, and the Celtics were able to do just that from the opening tip to the final whistle.

It was one of the most efficient games shooting-wise I have ever seen.

For the game, the Celtics shot over 60 percent from the field and from behind the three-point line. Also, they were able to withstand a dominating performance from LeBron (36 points) and still win.

For the Celtics, not one player dominated, and all five starters scored in double digits. The icing on the cake was the fact that the Celtics out-rebounded the Heat 40-34. It's certainly a good sign for a potential playoff series with the Heat because the C's really could take the crowd out of the game.

3. Celtics Beat the Magic 91-83

I've never heard a game summed up so eloquently in so few words; it truly was a bar fight.

It seemed that after the first half left them in a 20-point hole, the Celtics were done. But even though they seemed down-and-out, the Celtics fought back and went on to outscore the Magic 54- 25 in the second half. 

And to seal the game in the fourth quarter, they held the Magic to just eight points.

This game may have revealed the best quality of this Celtics team. They will never give up.

If you want to beat this team in the playoffs, you better be ready for a seven-game bar fight because they don't go down without a fight.

2. Celtics Beat the Magic 87-56

Despite what Kevin Garnett said in his bar fight rant, the win over the Magic just three days before was more impressive. Just look at the score.

They held the Magic to just 56 points on 24.6 percent shooting from the field, in one of the most impressive defensive performances I've ever seen.

With that kind of defense, scoring enough points on the other end was just a technicality. No player on the Celtics scored more than 20 points, as it wasn't needed.

It was complete and utter domination. Oh, and by the way, the Celtics did this without Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.

1. Celtics Beat the Heat 91-72

I went to just one game this season. But it wasn't just a game, it was, without a doubt, the best game of the whole regular season.

I'm not saying I'm good luck, but if someone wanted to give me playoff tickets, it could increase the Celtics chances of winning. Just a thought.

Seriously though, this was the best game for a few reasons.

First, it was another triple-double by Rajon Rondo. (For those counting at home, Rondo had a triple-double in three of these 10 games.)

On top of that, it truly was a team effort with every starter scoring in double digits. (Pierce led the way with 23.)

Most importantly, it was domination from start to finish, and it was more than just that — it came against the vaunted Miami Heat. LeBron was a minus-30 for the game, and Bosh had one of the worst games of his career with four points on 2-of-11 shooting. (Really, it got to a comical point).

And for what it's worth, the Garden was rocking. It was a playoff-like atmosphere, and the crowd was into it. (My favorite part of the game was when they showed Erik Spoelstra on the Jumbotron with head in hands, and the whole crowd started laughing).

You could feel the playoff atmosphere, and if the game was an indication of what the Celtics are capable of in the playoffs, the No.-18 banner could be raised into the rafters very soon.