NBA Playoffs 2012: Celtics Take Game 5 on the Strength of Garnett and Rondo

Hello, Boston.

On the morning after the Celtics pulled off the 94-90 Game 5 victory over the Heat in Miami, there were two plays from Boston (besides that Paul Pierce dagger, of course) that summed up the night. 

Remember when Kevin Garnett was blocked by the rim and everyone was sad because it reminded us that he's aging and has a 36-year-old body and a career that is winding down? 

He does. He also decided to take that anger and frustration out on the rim in Miami last night. This was a dunk to remind us all that he's still here and as long as he is still here, on the basketball court, playing in the conference finals, he's going to leave everything he's got on that floor. Just like he always has. 

After the game, Doc Rivers had this to say about Garnett:

"

“He's our life. I mean, he really is. He just does so many things that don't have numbers to it. A lot of it is with his voice."

"

If Garnett is their life, Rajon Rondo is their guide, leading them through this postseason possession after possession. While Garnett pulled out the 26-point, 11-rebound performance for the Celtics, Rondo struggled from the floor. He couldn't score, but he dished 13 assists and grabbed three steals, showing, as always, that he will create for others when he cannot get it going for himself.

Check out this savvy play from Rondo where he rises into the air to dish a pass to Mickael Pietrus off of a block from Dwyane Wade. Yes, that's right. Wade blocks Brandon Bass while Rondo surveys the floor, sees Pietrus in the corner and taps the ball over to him for the three-pointer.

Like Jeff Van Gundy says in the clip, that's some spectacular court awareness.

Beautiful.