Good morning. Let's basketball.
NOT YET: Facing elimination in a hostile arena, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving decided the Cavaliers weren't quite done yet, so they each dropped 41 points to push Cleveland to a 112-97 win over the Warriors in Game 5, pulling the series to 3-2. They'll meet again in Ohio on Thursday (9 p.m. ET on ABC per usual).
The most notable storyline heading in was the absence of Draymond Green due to suspension. The Warriors talked a strong game they couldn't back up without their fiery leader. In the second half, Kyrie and LeBron outscored Steph Curry and Klay Thompson 39-23 while shooting 58 percent to the Splash Bros' 33 percent. Kyrie destroyed both Curry and Thompson primarily with isolation dribble moves, while LeBron went at Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and anyone who dared try to stop him. Just a dominant performance, one of LeBron's best ever (41-16-7-3-3) and a special night for Kyrie.
Kevin Love scored two points with three rebounds in 33 minutes. He just wanted a high-five (or to show he made the right defensive play) but LeBron just lectured him until he broke poor Kevin's spirit.
Rodger Sherman writes that Kyrie and LeBron quieted their (ridiculous) critics for now.
THAT BABY CAN DUNK! Marreese Speights called LeBron a baby after Draymond got suspended so LeBron decided he had to dunk on him. Job done.
DRAYMOND VS. DRAYMOND: Bethlehem Shoals writes that Draymond Green is the only player who can beat Draymond Green.
ANTI-CLASH OF THE TITANS: Jason Concepcion wonders why more of a rivalry isn't building between Steph and LeBron.
OH MY GOODNESS THIS SO-HILARIOUS-IT-HAS-TO-BE-IRONIC SIGN.
YIKESVILLE: Andrew Bogut suffered a knee injury that didn't look great and will require an MRI.
BELOVED: Green couldn't be in the arena due to his suspension. So, he watched the game in a suite next door at the Oakland Coliseum while an A's game was happening. Fans swarmed him to chant "Free Draymond." Awesome.
THE NEW JORDAN: Several notable people have said Steph Curry is ruining youth basketball because all the kids just want to shoot threes all the time now. So, Ricky O'Donnell talked to coaches and youth development folks, watched a lot of games and reported out this feature that argues Curry is actually doing the opposite of ruining youth basketball. Check it out.
KNOCK-ON EFFECTS: Traditional big men are becoming devalued in the modern NBA. That has a big effect on the very tall humans who used to go very high in the NBA Draft.
WELL IN THAT CASE: The Wolves are apparently open to trading the No. 5 pick for Jimmy Butler. Why didn't you say so? Here you go!
Happy Tuesday. See you next time.