CAVS STAY ALIVE IN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

OAKLAND, California — LeBron James had 41 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, Kyrie Irving also scored 41 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers capitalized on the Warriors playing without suspended star Draymond Green, staving off NBA final elimination with a 112-97 victory in Game 5 on Monday night.

James and Irving became the first teammates to score 40 points in an NBA final game as the Cavaliers pulled within 3-2 and sent their best-of-seven series back to Ohio.

“We’re just happy we got another day. That’s all we can ask for,” James said. “We got another day to survive. We’re going to start preparing tonight, start preparing tomorrow and whenever Game 6 is we’ll be ready.”

James had much more to say about these playoffs — and not with his mouth, even as the criticism came from all directions following his Game 4 tussle with Green and reaction to what he considered the Golden State forward’s inappropriate words. He was booed again as the Cavs left the court for their locker-room.

The Cavs handed defending champion Golden State just its fourth defeat at sold-out Oracle Arena all season, denying MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors a chance to celebrate a second straight title with their golden-clad “Strength In Numbers” supporters. Now, Curry and Co. must try to win on the road just the way the Warriors did last year and also in their only other championship season out west in 1975.

The Warriors will get Green back Thursday as they try again for that repeat title.