The Cleveland Cavaliers' dynamic duo of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving willed their team to a decisive Game 5 victory on Monday on the back of an offensive eruption for the ages.
For the first time in league history, a pair of teammates scored 40 points apiece in an NBA Finals game, as James and Irving each had 41 in a 112-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.
Such a feat has only taken place three other times in an NBA playoff game: Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller accomplished it for the Indiana Pacers in 2000, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler did so for the Houston Rockets in 1995, and Olajuwon and Sleepy Floyd pulled it off in 1988.
| Date | Player | Team | Opponent | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/13/2016 | LeBron James | Cavaliers | Warriors | 41 |
| 6/13/2016 | Kyrie Irving | Cavaliers | Warriors | 41 |
| 5/6/2000 | Reggie Miller | Pacers | 76ers | 40 |
| 5/6/2000 | Jalen Rose | Pacers | 76ers | 40 |
| 5/5/1995 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Rockets | Jazz | 40 |
| 5/5/1995 | Clyde Drexler | Rockets | Jazz | 41 |
| 4/30/1988 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Rockets | Mavericks | 41 |
| 4/30/1988 | Sleepy Floyd | Rockets | Mavericks | 42 |
(courtesy: Basketball-Reference.com)
The defending champions had no answer for the Batman and Robin combo throughout the evening, as the two knocked down shots from all areas of the floor as if the Warriors defenders were nowhere in sight. In fact, James and Irving either scored or assisted on 60 of Cleveland's final 64 points, which is huge considering the game was tied at halftime.
The Cavaliers may need similar performances in Game 6 on Thursday to continue clawing back in the series. The Warriors still maintain a series lead at 3-2.
