Wrap-Up – For a moment there in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Cavaliers just might cruise to a Game 5 victory. But anyone who’s watched a minute of this Second Round series should know that nothing is going to come easy for either team.
After trailing early, the Cavaliers took control in the second quarter and extended their advantage to as many as 17 early in the fourth. But following Taj Gibson’s ejection, the Bulls mounted a furious comeback that got Chicago to within a deuce with just over a minute to go. But a huge offensive rebound by Iman Shumpert and some clutch free throw shooting in the closing moments sealed the 106-101 win on Tuesday night at The Q.
The series now shifts to Chicago, where the two battered combatants will face off in Game 6 on Thursday night. A Bulls win sends the Conference Semis back to Cleveland for a Game 7 on Sunday. A Cavaliers win sends the Wine and Gold to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2009.
Right from the opening tip, LeBron James put the Cavaliers on his sizeable shoulders. And the four-time MVP showed why he’s still considered the game’s greatest player – going off for a game-high 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting, adding team-highs in rebounds (12), assists (6), steals (3) and tying Shumpert for the team-lead in blocks (3). In 41 minutes of heavy action, LeBron didn’t commit a single turnover.
Kyrie Irving turned in one of the most courageous performances of his young career. Playing on one good leg – (maybe) – Irving bounced back from a pair of tough outings to follow up with 25 points, going 9-for-16 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Irving was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field in the third, notching nine points to help Cleveland extend its second-half edge.
Iman Shumpert finished with 13 points, seven boards and three blocked shots. Four of Shump’s seven rebounds came off the offensive glass – including the biggest board of the game.
With Cleveland protecting a two-point lead, a hot-potato carom with 20 seconds to play off a LeBron miss found several players’ outstretched arms before Shump snagged the loose ball and dealt it back to Kyrie, who was subsequently fouled – sinking both free throws to give Cleveland a two-possession lead.
Tristan Thompson doubled-up for the second time in his last three starts – finishing with 12 points and 10 boards, four of those coming off the offensive glass. In his third straight game coming off the bench, J.R. Smith finished with a dozen points of his own – going 5-for-11 from the floor, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Matthew Dellavedova had a nice outing on both ends of the floor, but it was the skirmish with Taj Gibson that turned the game on its edge.
With 10:25 remaining in the ballgame, Gibson and Delly battled for a rebound off an Aaron Brooks’ floater. Gibson knocked Dellavedova to the ground and their legs tangled up for a moment. When Gibson got to his feet, he kicked Delly’s legs – prompting both teams into the fray. Gibson was issued a Flagrant-2 and shown the door as Delly split the free throws to give Cleveland a 12-point bulge.
Six players notched double-figures for the Bulls, who were led by Jimmy Butler’s 29 points. For the second straight game, Chicago’s All-Star center, Pau Gasol, missed the game with a sore left hamstring.
The Cavaliers shot 51 percent from the floor to the Bulls’ 40 percent. The Cavaliers came into Game 5 leading all remaining playoff teams in blocked shots at 7.0 per game and only improved on that number on Tuesday – swatting 12 Chicago offerings’ in the victory.
Once again – as it’s been in every game of the series – the team that won the rebounding edge won the game. On Tuesday, the Wine and Gold out-rebounded the Bulls, 41-40.
LeBron records 38 points, 12 rebounds.
View some of the best snapshots.
Delly throws the lob to Thompson.
Go inside the locker room.
Watch super slow-mo highlights from Game 5.
Turning Point – The Bulls jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but the Cavs held them to just 4-for-22 shooting in the second. The Cavs shot 56 percent themselves in the third and were well on their way to icing the win in the fourth.
But not long after the fracas between Delly and Taj Gibson, the Bulls found new life – and proceeded to go on a 15-5 run that cut Cleveland’s lead to just four – 97-93 – with just over four minutes to play. The Cavs pushed their lead back to eight, but Jimmy Butler hit back-to-back treys that got the Bulls to within two points.
But at that point, the Wine and Gold locked down for the win – with LeBron chasing down and swatting Derrick Rose’s layup attempt with 48.8 to play and Iman Shumpert snagging a critical rebound less than 30 second s later.
By the Numbers – 3 … players in NBA history – now including LeBron James – who have tallied at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a playoff game, joining Dwyane Wade – who did it in the Finals in 2006 – and Elvin Hayes – who accomplished the feat against the Buffalo Braves in 1975. The difference between LeBron and the other two? James recorded that stat line while placing a donut in the turnover column.
Quotable – LeBron James, at the postgame podium, when a reporter informed him that this was his first game all season without a turnover …
”Yay!’”
Up Next – After taking the five-point win on Tuesday night, the thrilling Second Round series now heads back to Chicago for Game 6 on Thursday night. A victory buys them some time before the Eastern Conference Finals. A loss brings the East Semis back to Cleveland for a Game 7 on Sunday.