AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 31 (UPI) -- LeBron James finished a memorable effort by hitting the winning basket in double overtime Thursday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked Detroit, 109-107.
Cleveland grabbed a 3-2 advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals and will try to reach the NBA Championship Series at home Saturday night.
James scored his team's final 25 points and 29 of its last 30, finishing with 48. He drove from the top of the key to lay the ball in with 2.2 seconds left in the second extra period.
Detroit's Chauncey Billups, who made key shots late in regulation and the first overtime, had a potential game-tying jump shot partially blocked at the final buzzer.
Cleveland overcame a seven-point deficit in the last three minutes of regulation, but Billups gave Detroit a 91-89 lead on a three-point shot with 22.9 seconds remaining. James tied it with nine seconds left on a dunk.
The Cavaliers took a four-point lead in the first overtime with 30 seconds to go, but Rasheed Wallace and Billups made two free throws each to force another extra period.
Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 26 points and Billups had 21.
