There is no denying the significance of tonight’s Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in Miami. After winning the first two games of the series, the Heat dropped the next two and allowed Boston to bring it back to Boston, to either close the door on the Heat’s season or stave-off elimination. Tonight’s game will decide the situation. But know that LeBron James should have a big game, but it doesn’t mean the Heat will win. Since the 1999-2000 season, nine of the 12 NBA MVP‘s have made it to the Conference Finals. Of those nine players, only three (Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and James) have led their team to victories in Game 5. Five players’ teams went on to lose the series. But the MVP’s have performed like MVP’s in Game 5’s.
Here is the list of MVP’s, dating back to the 1999-2000 regular season and how they performed in Game 5 of the Conference Finals:
1999-2000
Shaquille O’Neal against Portland in Game 5: 12-20 shooting from the field, 31 points and 21 rebounds in a loss. His team went on to win the series though. His team lost 96-88. He scored 35.22% of his team’s points, grabbed 47.72% of his team’s rebounds (21-44), and dished-out 15% of his team’s assists (3-15).
2000-2001
Allen Iverson against Milwaukee in Game 5: 14-33 shooting from the field, 46 points in a loss. His team went on to win the series. Team lost 110-100. Scored 46% of his team’s points, grabbed 20.45% of his team’s rebounds (9-44) and dished-out 50% of his team’s assists (8-16).
2001-2002
Tim Duncan didn’t make it to the Conference Finals
2002-2003
Tim Duncan against Dallas in Game 5: 9-15 shooting from the field, 23 points and 15 rebounds in a loss. His team went on to win the series. His team lost 103-91. Duncan scored 25.27% of his team’s points, grabbed 39.47% of his team’s rebounds (15-38) and had 25% of his team’s assists (6-24).
2003-2004
Kevin Garnett against the Los Angeles: 10-23 shooting from the field, 30 points and 19 rebounds in a win. His team went on to lose the series. His team won 98-96. Garnett scored 30.6% of his team’s points, grabbed 45.23% of his team’s rebounds (19 of 42) and dished-out 28.57% of his team’s assists (4 of 14).
2004-2005
Steve Nash against San Antonio: 9-20 shooting from the field, 21 points and 10 assists in a series-clinching loss. His team lost 101-95. Nash scored 22.1% of his team’s points, grabbed 9.3% of his team’s rebounds (4-43), and accounted for 62.5% of his team’s assists (10-16).
2005-2006
Steve Nash against Dallas: 5-17 shooting from the field, 20 points and 11 assists in a loss. His team went on to lose the series. Team lost 117-101.Nash scored 19.8% of his team’s points, grabbed 17.14% of his team’s rebounds (6-35) and accounted for 52.3% of his team’s assists (11-21).
2006-2007
Dirk Nowitzki didn’t make to the Conference Finals
2007-2008
Kobe Bryant against San Antonio: 16-30 shooting from the field, 39 points in a series-clinching win. His team won 100-92; Bryant scored 39% of his team’s points, had 7% (3 of 42) of his team’s rebounds, and had 18.75% of his team’s assists (3 of 16).
2008-2009
LeBron James against Orlando: 11-24 shooting from the field, 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in a win. His team went on to lose the series. His team won 112-102. Scored 33% of his team’s points, had 35.89% of his team’s rebounds (14 of 39), and 57.1% of his team’s assists (12 of 21).
2009-2010
LeBron James didn’t make it to the Conference Finals
2010-2011
Derrick Rose against the Miami: 9-29 shooting from the field, 25 points and eight assists in a series-clinching loss. Team lost 80-83. He scored 31.25% of his teams points, had 44.44% of his team’s assists (8 of 18), and 11.11% of his team’s rebounds (5 of 45).
MVP’s have averaged 30.2 ppg in Game 5’s and shot 95-211 (45%) from the field with a record of 3-6, but four player’s teams went on to the NBA Finals.
So what can we expect from James in tonight’s game?
I expect him to have a big game. After all, he is the MVP and chances are good for him to have a big game.
After looking at the numbers, I think James’ night will go like this: 10-23 from the field, 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. I wish I could predict the score, too.
But if he puts up these numbers, I think Miami has a great chance to win the game.
It’s time for a memorable performance.