James in vanguard for Cavs

The Big Three have faded, the Terrific Two are gone and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still heading home with the NBA finals tied up at a game apiece.

All thanks to LeBron James, who turned in a triple-double to remember, and Matthew Dellavedova made the go-ahead free throws in overtime as the Cavaliers overcame a fourthquarter collapse to outlast the Golden State Warriors 95-93 yesterday. James finished with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in 50 minutes, carrying Cleveland’s depleted roster to victory on the NBA’s toughest home floor.

The Warriors, who were 47-3 at ear-piercing Oracle Arena, had no answer for James or Cleveland’s suddenly stifling defence for most of the night.

‘‘I tried to give it all to my team-mates. And they do a great job of giving it back to me.

‘‘Total team effort,’’ said James, who shot 11 of 34 from the floor.

‘‘To be back in the same position we were in three days ago and to come back and even the series is big time.’’

It was the second straight overtime game in this scintillating series.

Stephen Curry had a horrific shooting performance but converted the tying layup for the Warriors in the final seconds of regulation. The newly minted MVP also put Golden State in front 93-92 on free throws with 29.5 seconds left in overtime.

Then, Draymond Green met James at the rim to block his left-handed layup but the Cavs retained possession.

After James Jones missed a three-pointer, Dellavedova grabbed the rebound and was fouled. The Australian made both free throws to put Cleveland in front with 10.1 seconds left. Curry air-balled a jumper contested by Dellavedova, James got the rebound and hit one of two free throws with 4.4 seconds left.