LeBron James played through a badly sprained ankle and turned in his best performance of the playoffs, posting 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-101 win over the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
James, who evened the series at 2-2 with his buzzer-beating baseline jumper at the end of Game 4, missed shootaround Tuesday morning with the injury that he suffered late Sunday but it hardly showed when the lights came on.
Kyrie Irving, who scored 25 points, also through played through a number of injuries, including a sprained right foot and tendinitis in his left knee. The duo shot 23-for-40 from the floor.
James also had three steals and three blocks and did not commit a turnover. With this performance, he matched Michael Jordan with his 51st playoff game with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Cavaliers can close out the series Thursday in Chicago.
[SportsNetwork.com]
