NBA Playoffs 2012: Brandon Bass Leads the Boston Celtics to Pivotal Game 5 Win

Brandon Bass may have just secured the series for the Boston Celtics with his performance in Game 5. The Celtics won 101-85 mainly because of Bass's great play. In the game, Bass scored a career playoff-high 27 points on 9-13 shooting from the floor and 9-10 shooting from the line.

He truly changed the game for the Celtics, especially in the third quarter. In these playoffs, games have been won in the third quarter and with the Celtics down three going into the third and lacking energy, Brandon Bass was the spark the C's needed to win. In the quarter, Bass outscored the entire Sixers team 18-16, helping the Celtics as a team outscore Philly 28-16.

Bass got going underneath with strong two handed dunks and from there his jump shot starting falling at will. He put the team on his broad shoulders in the third quarter and from there, the Celtics rode the momentum he provided to victory. 

For Bass, his success came from two simple factors. The most obvious source of Bass's great play was Rajon Rondo. He dished out 14 assists, a lot of them to Brandon Bass. But Rondo is always great at dishing the rock.

What was more pivotal to Bass's success was his own aggressiveness. Generally, Bass is a bit hesitant to take the ball to the hoop, but not during this game. Bass was as aggressive as ever and it paid off for him.

Granted, Bass can't do this every night, and nor can the Celtics count on him to do so, but he did it when the Celtics needed it most in a potentially series-deciding Game 5. Now the Celtics are on the doorstep of the Eastern Conference Finals.

One more win and they will secure a matchup with either the Indiana Pacers or the Miami Heat. In either case, the Celtics will need Bass to play close to as well as he did tonight. And given how well he was able to play tonight, similar performances should not come as a surprise.