Despite playing on a bum ankle, LeBron James submitted a vintage performance in Game 5 on Tuesday to defeat the Chicago Bulls 106-101.
James scored 38 points as he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers capture a 3-2 series lead.
Tonight was LeBron's 72nd playoff game where put up 30 points, 10 more than anyone else since his rookie season. pic.twitter.com/Jf7ZINbLlE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2015
After a hot start by Chicago which saw the Bulls race out to an 18-8 lead, James helped the Cavaliers erase the deficit. Cleveland held a 10-point lead by halftime and James had 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting as he thoroughly dominated his matchup with Jimmy Butler.
The Bulls managed to hang around despite James's dominance and nearly stole the game with a late 26-11 fourth-quarter run. However, Butler missed short on a late go-ahead three. Kyrie Irving drained a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession to seal the game.
The Bulls were without two key members of their vaunted frontcourt. Pau Gasol sat out his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury, while Taj Gibson was ejected early in the fourth quarter after an altercation with Matthew Dellavedova.
The Bulls will have a chance to extend their season in Chicago on Thursday.
Turning Point
The Bulls had two chances to erase Cleveland's precarious two-point lead in the final minute.
The first came in transition. After a missed three by Irving, Derrick Rose snagged the rebound and raced down the court with seemingly just Dellavedova to beat.
However, as Rose got to the basket, James soared in out of nowhere to erase Rose's layup attempt. James then contested Butler's go-ahead attempt, which came up short.
Instead, the Cavaliers managed to build on their lead with their next possession. James missed a driving jumpshot, but Iman Shumpert grabbed the offensive rebound and reset to Irving, who drained two free throws to seal the game.
Star Performer
It was a performance for the ages for James, who now sits on the cusp of his fifth consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearance.
James dropped 38 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and three rebounds on 14-of-24 shooting from the field in 41 phenomenal minutes of play. James did most of his damage in the paint, where he scored nine of his 14 baskets.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James now have the same number of 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist games in postseason pic.twitter.com/8LXvdW1uJp
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 13, 2015
The Bulls' defense against James was picture perfect through the first four games: James averaged 5.8 turnovers per game on 37.7 percent shooting from the floor through Games 1-4. By tasking Butler to pressure James's drives and rotating Joakim Noah over to protect the rim, Chicago looked to have solved James.
However, their scheme was rendered ineffective Tuesday - helped along by Butler, who picked up two fouls within the first eight minutes. That sent him to the bench and paved the way for James to dominate. Even after Butler returned, he was unable to aggressively body up on James's drives lest he pick up a third personal in the first half.
It also helped that James regained the touch on his jump shot. James canned five jumpers, including four pull-ups from midrange, which forced the Bulls to respect his range instead of stocking up in the paint.
Highlight Reel
LeBron goes for a scoring bender
Gibson roughs up Dellavedova
Mirotic drains half-court buzzer-beater
Series at a Glance
Game 1: Bulls 99, Cavaliers 92 (Bulls lead 1-0)
Game 2: Cavaliers 106, Bulls 91 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Bulls 99, Cavaliers 96 (Bulls lead 2-1)
Game 4: Cavaliers 86, Bulls 84 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Cavaliers 106, Bulls 101 (Cavaliers lead 3-2)
Game 6: Thursday, May 14, ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Sunday, May 17, TNT, TBD
*If necessary
