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 Calvin Ridley Womens 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, 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 Julio Jones Womens Jersey , 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, 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 Authentic Ito Smith 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 be back in Houston on Sunday.