Lebron James and Kyrie Irving scored 41 points each, wins game 5.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving produced a masterful offensive performance, exploding for 41 points apiece as the Cleveland Cavaliers derailed the impending championship celebration of the Golden State Warriors by prevailing in Game Five, 112-97, of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena.

It was the first time in NBA history that two teammates scored at least 40 points in a finals game.

Thanks to the win, the Cavaliers stayed in contention and trimmed Golden State’s series lead to 3-2.

James also had 16 boards to go along with seven assists, while Irving dished six dimes.

Klay Thompson scored 37 points, backed by a hot first half that saw him score 26. Steph Curry added 25 markers in the loss.

Cleveland has a chance to extend the series further in Game Six in its homecourt at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday (Friday morning Philippine time).

It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the first half with no team seizing control of the game. But it wasn’t without fireworks, as Thompson and James put on a sizzling show on the offensive end.

Thompson buried six triples en route to his 26 first half points, while James found his range to collect 25 at the half.

It was a tied game at 61-all after the first two quarters.

The Warriors, already missing Draymond Green to suspension, were dealt with another blow after center Andrew Bogut injured his knee early in the third quarter. He never returned to the game.

That was when Cleveland went on a tear. The Cavaliers scored seven straight points capped by an Irving triple to push its lead to eight, 74-66.

Veteran Richard Jefferson provided some lift off the bench, scoring two layups to help the Cavaliers erect the game’s first double-digit lead, 93-82, with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

Just when the Warriors looked to gain momentum after shots by Curry and Thompson in the fourth quarter, Irving was there to douse that.

He buried two straight tough jumpers, and his triple with 5:33 left handed the Cavaliers a 109-96 cushion, enough to stave off the Warriors.

source: interaksyon.com