Cleveland Cavaliers keep NBA Finals hopes alive with record-breaking performance

IT was the NBA finals game that had everything.Record-breaking shooting, hard fouls, the technical that wasn’t and a historic LeBron James masterclass that kept the Cavs’ slim finals hopes alive.

LeBron James jawed with the Warriors all night, but had the last laugh in Game 4. Picture: Getty Images

IT was the NBA finals game that had everything.

Record-breaking shooting, hard fouls, the technical that wasn’t and an historic LeBron James masterclass that kept the Cleveland Cavaliers’ slim finals hopes alive.

With his ninth career NBA Finals triple double, James surpassed Lakers legend Magic Johnson for the most in league history, leading the Cavs to a 137-116 win and sending the series back to Oakland with an ever so slight glimmer of hope.

“I try to be a vocal leader, and as well lead by example,” James said after the game.

“I’ve always wanted to be a triple threat, being able to score, pass rebound and also talk guys through defensive coverages and everything.

“I was there tonight for my guys I was able to make a few plays offensively and defensively to help them get this win.”

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LeBron James jawed with the Warriors all night, but had the last laugh in Game 4. Picture: Getty Images

James’ 31 points was laced with 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but he was eclipsed by the sublime shooting of point guard Kyrie Irving who splashed seven three-pointers on his way to 40 points.

On the brink of elimination, the Cavaliers shot out of the blocks with an NBA Finals record 49-point opening term and never looked back.

Kyrie Irving was a stone cold killer dropping 40 points in Game 4. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

The Cavs outscored the Warriors in every term, but it took perhaps the greatest performance in NBA Finals history, draining a finals record 24 treys — just one shy of the all-time record in any game.

Kevin Durant continued his fine series for the Warriors with 35 points, but Stephen Curry (14) and Klay Thompson (13) were both well down.

Kerr and Durant both copped technicals in an often spiteful encounter. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Seven technical fouls highlighted the spite in the match, at one point, Draymond Green appeared to incur his second, but the referees and the bench officials had their wires crossed. A technical in the first half was actually on Warriors coach Steve Kerr, not Green, so he was allowed to stay in the game, much to the chagrin of Twitter.

Doris Burke Explains why Draymond Green did not receive a second technicalpic.twitter.com/7GcvQ4y4qR

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 10, 2017

Doris burke said all 6 of the people at the scorers table collectively heard them say the first technical was on draymond.. #conspiracy

— Manny Psihountas (@Coach_MannyP) June 10, 2017

They keep trying to explain the Draymond and Steve Kerr technical and im like pic.twitter.com/MrMV12DETP

— Gee (@Lilgeeeeee) June 10, 2017

And noted instigator Zaza Pachulia had a Draymond Green moment when he lashed out at Iman Shumpert’s groin. The NBA will surely take a close look at it, after Green was suspended for a similar incident involving LeBron James in last year’s finals.

Warriors player Pachulia UPPERCUTS Shumpert in the GROIN! #NBAFinals #CavsWarriors #DefendTheLand #Warriors @CashNastyGaming pic.twitter.com/bJrAfoKiwR

— Coop 🎮 (@PositiveGamer1) June 10, 2017

The crowd chants of “Cavs in seven” will have emboldened LeBron and his men, but they know they still have a 3-1 mountain to climb.

“We know it’s going to be very difficult,” James said.

“They’re a great team... (but we) give ourselves a good chance.”

Originally published as Cleveland Cavaliers keep NBA Finals hopes alive with record-breaking performance