By Dan Savage

May 31, 2007: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
The Cavaliers grabbed a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals behind a 48-point night from LeBron James. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"We want to attack the opponent. We want to make sure we're attacking before the defense is set and at the same time we want to make sure we go a great job of setting our defense as quickly as possible.'' -- Memphis' new head coach Marc Iavaroni declared about picking up the Grizzlies' offensive pace next season.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Thursday's top play: Check out LeBron James' game-winner.
  • Haier Play of the Day
  • Dunk of the Night
  • Block of the Night
    		•
  • BlackBerry Assist of the Night
  • Steal of the Night
  • NBA TV Top 10
    • NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
    Since Detroit swept the Magic and took down the Bulls 4-2, it's likely you have not used many Pistons in your Drive to the Finals lineup. With Detroit on the brink of elimination, it is time to start selecting the best it has to offer. Go with Chauncey Billups for Satuday's Game 6 matchup at Cleveland. Chances are he will put up a big effort to make up for his missed layup at the buzzer in the Pistons' Game 5 defeat. Want a different choice? See what the experts think.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavs
    109-107 win at Pistons
    16 pts, 6-9 FG

    LeBron James, Cavaliers
    109-107 win at Pistons
    48 pts, 18-33 FG, 2-3 3-pt FG, 10-14 FT

    Chris Webber, Pistons
    109-107 loss vs. Cavaliers
    20 pts, 9-13 FG
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    LeBron James did not just stuff the stat sheet on Thursday, he set it on fire and created a new playoff standard for all future stuffers to live by. King James scored the Cavaliers' final 25 points, in a span that began in the fourth quarter and carried through Cleveland's 109-107 double-overtime Game 5 victory over the Pistons. James finished with a playoff-career-high 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
    109-107 loss vs. Cavaliers
    4-13 FG, 0-2 3-pt FG, 17 pts

    Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
    109-107 loss vs. Cavaliers
    4-13 FG, 10 pts

    Sasha Pavlovic, Cavaliers
    109-107 win at Pistons
    2-10 FG, 6 pts
    THE KING HAS TRULY ARRIVED
    Up until Thursday, everyone knew that LeBron James had the makings of an eventual all-time great. The only knock on him was his inability to step up in clutch situations. Although LeBron began to silence his critics with amazing crunch-time performances in Games 3 and 4, James took his seat on the throne of NBA greatness and demolished any doubt about his talent as he delivered one of the best playoff performances in NBA history. James exploded for 25 straight points and scorched through the Pistons' defense, in spite of the various defensive schemes and double-teams Detroit sent at him, to power the Cavaliers to a 109-107 double-overtime triumph. "Somebody told me that in the locker room that he scored 29 of our last 30 points and I could not believe it,'' Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "Everybody keeps asking for more, and he keeps giving more." The win gave the Cavaliers a 3-2 series lead.
    NEW COACHES FACE TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
    The job market for head coaches got significantly smaller on Thursday as the Grizzlies, Pacers and Magic all found new leaders for next season. Memphis officially announced Marc Iavaroni as its new coach and Indiana followed suit making Jim O'Brien its 13th coach in franchise history. Orlando will introduce Billy Donovan as its next coach on Friday. What is one thing each of these coaches have in common? They all have a difficult task ahead of them. The Grizzlies finished last in the NBA this season and although they had the best chance at landing the number one pick in the upcoming draft, the lottery dealt them the fourth overall selection. The Pacers went 6-20 in the last two months of the season and the Magic will have to rebound from a first-round playoff sweep and the possible loss of veteran foward Grant Hill.