Despite sore elbow, LeBron, Cavs prevail
CLEVELAND — LeBron James just missed a triple-double despite an apparently sore right elbow, and the Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to a playoff date with Boston by beating Chicago 96-94 in Game 5 Tuesday night in perhaps Vinny Del Negro's final game as Bulls coach.
James, favoring a tender right elbow that appears to hurt worse than he's letting on, scored 19 points — 16 in the second half — and had 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Cavs finally saddled the stubborn Bulls to win the series 4-1. Unable to lift his right arm, James was forced to shoot a free throw left-handed with 7.8 seconds left.
Lakers 111, Thunder 87
At Los Angeles, Pau Gasol had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Andrew Bynum added 21 points and Los Angeles vigorously rebounded from back-to-back losses with a victory over Oklahoma City, taking a 3-2 lead in its layoff series.
Kobe Bryant had 13 points and seven assists in three quarters of work as the defending NBA champions coolly shook off the Thunder's series-tying blowout win in Game 4 with a thrashing of the postseason newcomers.
Game 6 is Friday night in Oklahoma City.
Celtics 96, Heat 86
At Boston, Ray Allen scored 24 points, making five 3-pointers in the second half, to help Boston eliminate Miami in Game 5.
With star Dwyane Wade, who scored 31 points, expected to become a free agent, it was the Heat's final game before an eventful summer in Miami.
Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals thanks to 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds from Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce scored 21 for the Celtics,,.
Mavericks 103, Spurs 81
At Dallas, Caron Butler scored a career playoff-best 35 points and had 11 rebounds, Brendan Haywood provided a strong inside presence at both ends in his first start of this postseason, and Dallas stayed alive by beating San Antonio in Game 5.
The Spurs still lead the series 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday at San Antonio.
