The buzz is all LeBron

Winning 3-pointer puts Cavaliers into series lead

LEBRON James hit a threepointer at the buzzer, a crowning moment for another brilliant performance, to give Cleveland a 98-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers yesterday in Game 5, putting the Cavaliers within a victory of advancing in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Moments after blocking Victor Oladipo’s possible goahead driving lay-up, James caught the inbounds pass, took two dribbles and dropped the winner over Thaddeus Young.

As Cleveland’s sellout crowd exploded, James hugged rookie teammate Cedi Osman before jumping on the scorers’ table to celebrate another of those moments that will define his career.

He finished with 44 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and went 15 of 15 from the line.

Kyle Korver added 19 points and Cleveland’s maligned defence tightened in time as the Cavaliers seized their first lead in the first-round series after being down 1-0 and 2-1.

Cleveland can close out Indiana with a win tomorrow in Indianapolis. Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points, and Young had 16 for the Pacers.

In Houston, the Rockets won 122-104, finishing off the Timberwolves in five games.

Clint Capela had 26 points and 15 rebounds and James Harden added 24 points as Houston pulled away in the third quarter.

The Rockets will await the winner of the Utah-Oklahoma City series, which the Thunder took to a sixth game with a 107-99 win over the Jazz.

Russell Westbrook scored 45 points and Oklahoma City rallied from 25 points down in the second half to fight off elimination. Westbrook also had 15 rebounds and seven assists. Paul George added 34 points and eight rebounds.

Utah takes a 3-2 lead back to Salt Lake City for Game 6 tomorrow.

Oklahoma City took advantage after Utah post players Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors had foul trouble. Both finished with five fouls. Oklahoma City was also able to get to the basket consist- ently for the first time in the series. Jae Crowder had a career playoff-high 27 points for Utah. Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and Australian Joe Ingles added 16.

In the other game, the Raptors beat Washington 108-98 in Toronto, where DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 points to go with 10 assists.

Toronto rebounded after losing Games 3 and 4 in Washington and leads the series 3-2 before Game 6 in Washington tomorrow.