NBA Play-offs, LeBron inspires Cleveland over Chicago

There are plenty of game changers in the 2015 NBA Play-offs, but few do game changing quite like LeBron, and it was the four time MVP who was the difference as the Cleveland Cavaliers downed the Chicago Bulls 106-101 in Game five of the series. The victory was enough to push the Cavs out in front with a 3-2 lead and the franchise needed to break 100 points to do it, with the Bulls an ever present threat through the game.

With the series heading back to Cleveland it was the perfect time for the hosts to push ahead in the NBA Play-offs semi-finals, and in Game 6 it will be expected for LeBron James and the Cavs to seal a spot in the Eastern Conference finals. Admittedly Chicago may have something to say about that as the Bulls are in solid form.

Taj Gibson grabbed the early buckets for the Bulls as they paced to a 0-8 lead during the opening minutes to send the Cavaliers to a time out. After the brief recess LeBron got the hosts cooking with a layup that sparked a comeback that encompassed the middle minutes of the first frame. By time the buzzer sounded for the end of Q1, Cleveland had clawed back and opened a 25-24 lead, mostly off the hot scoring of James. The second quarter proved more decisive as the Cavs held the momentum as LeBron continued to pepper the bucket; a 29-20 run was enough to hand the home team a 54-44 lead at the long break.

The consistent scoring continued from both teams in the third quarter as the Bulls kept themselves in the game with solid offensive play, including 11 points from Mike Dunleavy during the period. A 26-27 winning act for Chicago cut the deficit after three quarters, with the scoreboard reading 80-71. The Cavaliers were still in control though and the hosts cut the Bulls scoring for over two minutes to open the fourth quarter. Credit to the visitors for continuing to take the fight on the hardwood, but LeBron James kept finding net and the Cavs held on to claim the win.

LeBron plundered a game high 38 points, while doubling up with 12 rebounds and managing to lay on 6 scoring passes. Kyrie Irving added 25 points for the winners, while Iman Shumpert took 13 points and Tristan Thompson had a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards.

Jimmy Butler was hot for Chicago with 29 points and 9 rebounds, followed by Mike Dunleavy with an important contribution of 19 points. Derrick Rose notched 16 points in the losing effort, while Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, and Joakim Noah all logged 10 points.