LeBron James and Kyrie Irving played exceptionally in the Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 win over the Golden State Warriors 112-97. Each of them totaled 41 points and their combined total of 82 is the most by any duo in an elimination game in the NBA Finals. Oddly enough, it was both James and Irving's first 40-point games this season.

"We had a mindset that we wanted to come here and just extend our period and have another opportunity to fight for another day," James said. "That was our main concern, and we were able to do that."

The Warriors were the victims of a tale of two halves last night. Tied at 61 at the half, the Warriors came out of the break and shot 7-of-24 in the third quarter, putting them in a whole and making their defense become even more important on a night where James and Irving seemed unstoppable.

"We weren't very good defensively," Kerr said. "We obviously knew we were without Draymond, so there's no point in harping on that. We had to play better, and we didn't."

Klay Thompson totaled a team-high 37 points while Curry poured in 25 points of his own. The absence of Draymond Green who was suspended for Game 5 after the tap to James' groin in Game 4, seemed huge, especially on defense where they seemed to lack intensity at times.

Game 6 is slated for Thursday night back in Cleveland as the Cavaliers look to force a decisive Game 7 back at Oracle Arena.

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