Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James shoots against Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic on Tuesday. Photo: IC LeBron James didn't let a sprained ankle slow him down as he played his best game of the postseason Jimmy Butler Timberwolves Jersey , scoring 38 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Chicago 106-101 in game five of their playoff series.
James, who leveled the series at 2-2 with a buzzer-beating jump shot in game four, also tallied 12 rebounds and six assists on Tuesday for the Cavaliers, who took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series.
Kyrie Irving scored 25 points and guard Iman Shumpert grabbed a crucial offensive rebound in the final minute for Cleveland in the victory.
James did not take part in Tuesday morning's practice Andrew Wiggins Timberwolves Jersey , preferring to rest his sore ankle, but he was all business against the Bulls in game five.
James had three steals and three blocks and did not commit a turnover. With this performance, he matched Michael Jordan with his 51st playoff game with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists.
James and Irving combined to shoot 23-of-40 from the field. Irving was also playing with injuries that included a sprained right foot and left knee tendinitis.
It is the first time a team in this series has won consecutive games and Cleveland can now wrap up the set and advance to the league semifinals with a win on Thursday in the Windy City at the United Center arena.
If the Bulls win on home court Jeff Teague Kids Jersey , game seven would be on Sunday in Cleveland.
Chicago guard Jimmy Butler had 29 points and nine rebounds, including a pair of three-pointers late to give the Bulls a glimmer of hope. Guard Derrick Rose finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
James Harden and Dwight Howard -delivered when it mattered most for the Houston Rockets, who averted playoff elimination with a 124-103 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers in game five of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday.
Harden posted 26 points Karl-Anthony Towns Kids Jersey , 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Rockets forced a return trip to Los Angeles for game six on Thursday by thriving in the paint and playing with defensive vigor.
Los Angeles still lead the best-of-seven -series 3-2 but if the Rockets can even the -series on Thursday, game seven would