LeBron, in classic form, scores 48 in double-OT win to lift Cleveland to a 3-2 series lead.
Cleveland 109, Detroit 107
It was a varied effort for Cleveland early on: eight from Larry Hughes in the first quarter to keep them in the game; Daniel Gibson hitting six free throws in the second, then a big 3 to close the third, to enter the fourth tied 70-70.
But then it was all LeBron James, literally, in the most exciting playoff game of the postseason.
LeBron closed out regulation with 30 and battled through two OTs for a career playoff-high 48 points, including Cleveland’s last 25 and last 29 of 30, on 18-33 shooting; added nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals; and filled up a highlight reel for the ages to put Cleveland ahead 3-2 in the series.
When a LeBron bucket with 6:05 left in the fourth put Cleveland up 81-78, it was only the second time that the struggling Cleveland squad had seen a three-point lead. Detroit responded in kind, lashing back with a 10-0 run to go up 88-81 with 3:15 left, their biggest lead since halfway through the second.
Then LeBron started chipping away at the lead with a driving layup, huge 3-pointer and back-to-back dunks to send it into overtime.
After that, it just got ridiculous.
LeBron throws down another dunk. LeBron drives for another trip to the free throw line. LeBron hits a jumper. LeBron hits a fadeaway jumper. LeBron gets the steal and another sure shot for two. LeBron fires a 3 to tie it 107-107 with 1:14 left in the second OT.
Then Varejao and Wallace traded missed shots and blocks, but it was not the Varejao & Wallace show. When Cleveland went into a time out with 11 seconds left, everyone watching knew what was coming next. Sure enough, LeBron goes hard to the hoop, Detroit cannot respond and the series is headed back to Cleveland, perhaps for good.
Words couldn’t fully describe what had just happened, but some still tried. Drew Gooden had a good line when he called LeBron “Video Game James” in the celebratory post-game locker room. Several Detroit players were quick to admit it was the best they’d ever seen from LeBron. And basketball’s most critical commentator called it “the best thing I’d seen in person in a long time.”
It was an incredible individual effort, to be sure, but LeBron still had his eyes on the prize as he spoke on his performance: “We know how big this is, and it’s all about winning a championship.”
As the action moves back to Cleveland, he’s got a chance to put his team in the finals for the first time in franchise history. Tune in Saturday night for Game 6 for all the action.
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