There is no more ubiquitous cliche in professional sports than the post-game shout-out to God. Our winners always seem to walk with Jesus. Which is why the most astonishing moment of the Celtics devastating OT victory over the Bulls in Game 5 may have come after Rajon Rondo knocked Brad Miller's toof out. Both teams had left the floor, and in the Celtics locker room, Glen "Big Baby" Davis had a bouquet of microphones up in his grill.

And now for something completely different. Just before Thanksgiving, the Celtics handed over control of the halftime festivities to the Boston Ballet, who opted not to come out with a straight-up preview of their annual cash cow but instead offered a newly-choreographed routine outside their comfort zone.

Strange as it may seem, this time last year, the Celtics were a big question mark. An intriguing one, sure, but nobody knew exactly what to expect -- Could a team's fortunes really turn around that quickly? Would the "Big Three" hold up over an 82-game season? Could they hang with the best of the Eastern Conference, to say nothing of the big boys out West? Is Rajon Rondo really going to be able to run this show? And can this much talent overcome bad coaching?

This is an AP photo.

There's not much more that needs to be said at this point: Paul Pierce had the game of his life at the best possible time, helping the Celtics withstand an amazing effort by LeBron James. You can read more about it here, here, here, and (at some point today, presumably) here and here.

- Ryan Stewart