The 3 plays from Game 5 of the NBA Finals that everybody will be talking about today
Good morning! The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 of the NBA Finals, beating the Golden State Warriors, 112-97, and forcing a Game 6. Here are the plays everybody will be talking about Tuesday.
LeBron is starting to announce his presence with authority in this series. LeBron James scored 41 points and added 16 rebounds and seven assists. That's a monster game in a Summer League game. It's mind-boggling in the NBA Finals against arguably one of the best teams of all time. And he did it from everywhere. He was 4-for-8 on 3-pointers. He was hitting midrange jumpers. And, of course, LeBron was going to the rack with his signature power.
LeBron was also playing some defense. Oh by the way, James also had three steals and three blocks, including this chase-down block of Stephen Curry from behind. Not today, Mr. Two-Time MVP.
Kyrie Irving had the game of his life. For the Cavs to do the impossible and come back in this series, LeBron will need some help, and on Monday night he got a ton of it from Irving. After spending most of the first four games forcing ugly shots, Irving suddenly came alive in Game 5. He scored 41 points on 17-of-24 (71%!) shooting. That included 5 of 7 from 3-point range, including this one in which he ended up on his seat.
A Golden State Warriors Bonus. It wasn't all bad for the Warriors. Shaun Livingston had a posterizing dunk of his own.
A Kevin Love Bonus. Love disappeared in Game 5, scoring just two points. But he did provide this humorous clip where it looks as if he is trying to give LeBron a high five and instead gets yelled at. Truth be told, Love is probably trying to demonstrate something to LeBron, and it only looks as if he is going for a high five. But considering the state of Kevin Love these days, the former seems more fitting.