LeBron James powered the sharpshooting Cleveland Cavaliers to a season-saving 112-97 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors today, climbing back to 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
Cleveland, facing elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Warriors, got 41 points each from James and Kyrie Irving. On defence they were tenacious, allowing them to set up another do-or-die game on Friday in Cleveland (NZT).
"We are just happy we got another day, that's all we can ask for. We got another day to survive," James said after the game. "We understand this is a great team no matter who is out on the floor for those guys. They are the champions so we've got to be ready."
With their season on the line, the Cavaliers exploded with their best game yet of the NBA Finals. James and Irving proved too much for a Warriors team playing without suspended defensive stalwart Draymond Green.
The game got off to a wild start and produced the best 24 minutes yet of the Finals. Both teams shot the ball exceptionally well, to have the score at 61-61 at halftime.
It was the highest-scoring first half in an Finals game since 1987.
But after a tight first half it was Cleveland who pulled ahead by 10 points late in the third quarter. Irving carried over his shooting clinic the first half to keep the home crowd in check.
With the chance to clinch the title on their home court, where they only lost three times this season, the Warriors were unable to get back into the game, as the Cavs stymied any momentum Golden State tried to generate.
Green will be back in the Warriors lineup for Game Six after serving a one-game ban after being assessed his fourth flagrant foul from his scuffle with James in the previous contest.
The Cavaliers are trying to become the first team to win a championship after falling behind 3-1 in the NBA Finals.
