LeBron James takes charge as Cavaliers beat Bulls for 3-2 series lead
Cleveland's star player has an error-free performance in game five of their Eastern Conference semi-final
With the "Big Three" reduced to the "Banged-Up Two", LeBron James again showed why he's Cleveland's one and only.
James scored 38 points, Kyrie Irving added 25 and the Cavaliers held off Chicago's charge in the fourth quarter for a 106-101 victory over the Bulls to take a 3-2 lead in their testy Eastern Conference semi-final.
Showing no ill effects from a sprained left ankle, James added 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals, three blocks and didn't have a turnover in 41 minutes to ensure the Cavs will again play at home this season. The four-time league MVP was locked in from the start, imposing his will on a game the Cavaliers had to have.
Cleveland can wrap up the best-of-seven series and advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2009 with a win in game six on on Friday morning (Hong Kong time) at United Centre in Chicago, where the teams exchanged buzzer-beating victories last weekend.
No turnovers! That was the first stat I was looking at after the game. I was trying to be efficient for my teammates and I was very efficient
The drama was not quite as high in game five, but it was close and it was intense. James, though, was the difference - as usual. After a few un-LeBron-like performances, James had his first error-free game this season.