LeBron James buzzer beater lifts Cavs to a 3-2 series lead over Pacers

LeBron James does it all, again.

The Cavaliers needed LeBron James in Game 5 and they got him at his absolute best. With 44 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and one huge dang three-pointer to win the game.

The Cavaliers were fully in control of this game for the entire third quarter and most of the fourth until the Pacers made one of their signature comebacks, led entirely by Domantas Sabonis. While Victor Oladipo struggled to shoot the ball well all night, Sabonis finished with 22 points including a jumper to tie the game.

With the score tied at 95 and the Pacers able to hold for a shot, Oladipo drove to the lane only to be blocked by LeBron James at the rim.

With 3.0 seconds remaining the Cavs got LeBron the ball and allowed him to dribble into a three-pointer. What’s even more painful here for the Pacers is they had a foul to give.

You can’t give LeBron James chances, and that’s what the Pacers did all night and especially down the stretch. James also got plenty of help in Game 5 from Kyle Korver who went 5-of-9 from the three-point line and providing much needed baskets throughout the night.

The Cavs will go to Indy for Game 6 on Friday night and try to close out this series on the road.

Cavs 98, Pacers 95 - Final

LEBRON JAMES BUZZER BEATER TO WIN! HE DID IT!

Cavs 95, Pacers 95 - 33.6 4Q

Well, folks. We have a game.

Cavs 95, Pacers 89 - 4:38 4Q

LeBron James is 15-of-15 from the free throw line if you wanted to know about his dominance in this game. He’s got 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Cavs 91, Pacers 84 - 7:00 4Q

The Pacers were within four but they still cannot stop Kyle Korver who is 5-of-9 from behind the three-point line.

Cavs 81, Pacers 73 - End of 3Q

After a quarter that was all Cleveland and no Indiana, it feels amazing the Pacers are only down eight. A Lance Stephenson three-pointer at the buzzer keeps them in striking distance but they currently have a huge LeBron James problem. He has 35 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists through three quarters. Meanwhile Victor Oladipo is shooting 2-of-14 from the field.

Cavs 66, Pacers 59 - 6:09 3Q

Korver didn’t hit the shot but this may be the best LeBron James pass I’ve ever seen.

Pacers 56, Cavs 56 - 8:51 3Q

Here come the Cavs!

Pacers 56, Cavs 49 - Halftime

It’s been an oddly low intensity game for both sides but the score remains close throughout. Every time the Pacers make a run to balloon the lead, the Cavs have responded. LeBron James leads all scorers with 20 points while Domantas Sabonis leads the Pacers with 12 points.

The good news for the Pacers is they’ve held a lead throughout while Victor Oladipo is only shooting 2-for-9. The bad news for the Pacers is he’s been shooting this poorly for a while.

Pacers 52, Pacers 43 - 3:51 2Q

The Pacers are on a 11-3 run in the past 2:30. They’re shooting 11-of-14 in the second quarter.

Pacers 25, Cavs 23 - End of 1Q

Cavs closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run and LeBron James leads all scorers with 14 points. Victor Oladipo has six points for Indiana.

Pacers 23, Cavs 15 - 3:14 1Q

The Cavs got within two points at 15-13 but the Pacers have gone on another run to open up another lead despite having eight turnovers.

Pacers 13, Cavs 7 - 6:44 1Q

The Pacers have not gotten off to a good start since Game 1 but have an early lead here in Game 5. Indiana went on a 11-2 run in the last three minutes to put them ahead along with five points from Bojan Bogdanovic.

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The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers have played one of the closest series of the opening round, with the teams knotted at two games each. This is unfamiliar ground for LeBron James, who uncharacteristically lost a Game 1 in a playoff series. This was also his first loss in a first-round game in five years. It’s wild to think the Cavs were mere minutes from trailing 3-1 before a Game 4 comeback.

The Cavs have survived because LeBron has been amazing, of course. His 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists narrowly gave the Cavs a 104-100 win in their last outing.

The problem has been finding a second scorer. Kyle Korver assumed that role with 18 points in Game 4, but he isn’t a consistent option in that role. To make things more difficult, George Hill will miss Game 5 with a back injury.

Is it finally time for Kevin Love to appear in this series? The Pacers have limited him to single-digit scoring in two of four games, and for the series, he’s shooting 36 percent from the field. That won’t do it, and the Cavs need better from him.

The Pacers need their star to return, too. Victor Oladipo’s has shot 10-of-30 from the field over the last two games, including 4-of-16 from deep. If Indiana wants to regain control over this series, they’ll need him to return to form.

Cavaliers vs. Pacers Game 5

Date: April 25

Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

When: 7:00 p.m. ET

TV: TNT