LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with JR Smith after a 98-95 win over the Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
LeBron James drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 98-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday and within one game of advancing in the NBA playoffs.
James scored 44 points to lead the Cavs, who took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series and will try to close out the Pacers on Friday in Indianapolis.
Seconds before his game-winner, James blocked a driving Victor Oladipo's shot at the rim to keep the score knotted at 95-95.
Cleveland then got the ball to their superstar, who pulled up at the top of the arc and unleashed his shot over Thaddeus Young, his only three-pointer of the game.
James beat his chest in triumph, jumping on the scorers' table to acknowledge the rapturous crowd.
"They had a foul to give," James said. "I wanted to go quick so I couldn't give up that foul because we had no more timeouts. I was able to turn and get to my spot."
The Cavaliers, trying to return to the NBA Finals for a fourth straight season and add to the title they won in 2016, took their first lead of the series.
But James said they have plenty of work remaining against the Pacers.
"That team never stops and it's going to be even tougher on Friday," he said. "We've got to be mentally strong, like we did tonight."
With his 21st playoff game of 40 points or more, James moved past Jerry West for number two all-time on that list, which is led by Michael Jordan with 38. (Agence France-Presse)