Cavaliers at Pistons 109 107 Box Score NBA Recap "Just for the simple fact that we won the ballgame means more than anything. If I did everything I did and we lost, it means nothing. So the win is the most important thing for us, and we are one more win from getting to our goal." - Cavaliers forward LeBron James View Postgame Quotes LeBron James drives and drops in the game-winner in Thursday's 109-107 classic at the Palace. Listen Game Photos Photo Archive Outside the Box View Diagram

LeBron James scored the Cavaliers final 25 points in Thursday night's epic win. Nathaniel S. Butler NBAE/Getty Images

On Thursday, that campaign came to life – because those who watched the young King’s legendary performance on Thursday night witnessed something that simply had to be seen to be believed.

There’s no other way to say it: LeBron James turned in one of the greatest playoff performances in NBA history in Game 5 at the Palace – scoring 29 of Cleveland’s last 30 points as the Wine and Gold took control of the Eastern Conference Finals with an epic 109-107 double-overtime win for the ages.

"The simple fact that we won the ballgame means more than anything besides my performance," said James. "If I did everything I did tonight and we lost, it means nothing. So the win is the most important thing for us, and we are one more win from getting to our goal."

The Cavaliers are now within a single victory of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, thanks to a game that James would not let his team lose. The Pistons will try to stave off elimination when they roll into The Q for Game 6 on Saturday night.

"I don't think he was trying to set any historical mark or anything like that, he just did what he felt he was supposed to do to help us win," said Coach Mike Brown. "That was a heck of a game for him – but for him to score 29 of 30 – that completely blew my mind. I don't know what he can't do."

LeBron had scored 19 points in the first three quarters, but had only notched two in the first nine minutes of the final period, as the Cavaliers trailed Detroit by seven – 88-81 – with just over three minutes to play.

At that point, James simply could not be stopped. After Drew Gooden split a pair of free throws to bring Cleveland to within four, it was all James – literally – from that point forward. His three-pointer with just over two minutes to play brought the Cavaliers to within one, and his power dunk put them ahead by a point – 89-88 – with 31 seconds remaining.

But Chauncey Billups came right back to hit a three-pointer with 22 seconds in regulation to put the Pistons back up by a bucket.

After a Cavaliers’ timeout, it was James once again, but instead of dishing off for the win – as he did to Donyell Marshall in Game 1 – he drove strong to the hole and flushed down the game-tying dunk. Billups tried to win it, but his three-point attempt was off target, forcing the first extra-session of the best-of-seven series.

James continued his dominance throughout the first overtime period, scoring from the line, the lane and beyond the arc. But Detroit would not relent. LeBron canned a miraculous 20-footer to put the Cavaliers up four – 100-96 – but the Pistons sunk four free throws in the final 30 seconds to send it to a second overtime.

In the second OT it was more of the same until Chris Webber’s three-point play put Detroit up by three with 1:28 to play. But LeBron tied it back up with a three-pointer on the Cavaliers’ next possession. And with the score tied at 107-107, James sealed the deal with 2.2 seconds to play, driving through the heart of the Pistons’ defense and gently rolling in the game-winner.

Chauncey Billups got a good look, but his runner rattled around the rim and out as time expired.

When it was all said and done, James had scored the Cavaliers’ final 25 points and willed the Wine and Gold to the game that will go down as one for the ages. He finished with 48 points, going 18-for-33 from the floor – including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. James was 10-for-14 from the stripe with nine boards, seven assists and a pair of steals.

"That was unbelievable - I've never seen anything like that, ever," smiled Daniel Gibson. "Words can't describe the determination he put out there. The heart, the effort. It was just amazing."

Although LeBron dominated the boxscore – and undoubtedly the highlight reels – every Cavalier who saw action contributed to the cause. Zydrunas Ilgauskas finished up with 16 points and eight boards before fouling out in the second overtime. And Daniel Gibson followed his 21-point performance in Game 4 with a strong 11-point showing at The Palace.

Larry Hughes got the start despite a strained foot and pitched in with nine points. And Eric Snow, who didn’t score a point, clamped down on Chauncey Billups to preserve the win.

"I just tried to make him take a tough shot," said the Canton Bulldog. "He's a talented player -- an All-Star player. I just wanted to challenge him, put a hand in his face and hope that he misses."

All five Pistons starters scored in double-figures, led by Hamilton’s 26 points. Billups finished with 21 and Chris Webber added 20. Rasheed Wallace notched 17 points and Tayshaun Prince, 10.

"I think from a perspective of fans, it's probably a great game to watch – a great game for the winning team and a very disappointing loss for the losing team," lamented Pistons' Coach Flip Saunders.

Despite all the overtime dramatics, one of the key plays of the game came with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Detroit’s Antonio McDyess clothes-lined Anderson Varejao as the Wild Thing drove to the hoop. Varejao went down hard and both teams went face-to-face. LeBron, who jumped into the middle of the fracas, was T’ed up, but McDyess was shown the door – and the Pistons missed their versatile forward for the rest of the evening.

McDyess may or may not be back when the Pistons return to The Q for Game 6 on Saturday night. The Cavaliers had a similar opportunity to ice Detroit at home last year, but let the opportunity slip away. The Pistons buried Cleveland in Game 7 back in Motown. It’s a safe bet to say they’ve learned from that experience and will be ready when the ball goes up at 8 p.m. in Cleveland.

"We're happy, but we've been here before," said Drew Gooden. "It's nothing to get over-excited about because we know that we still have unfinished business."