LeBron, Cavs outlast Arenas, Wizards in Game 5

James and Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas played a game of "can you top this" in the instant-classic playoff contest before a capacity crowd in Cleveland. James poured in a playoff-high 45 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists in the victory. Arenas almost matched the Cavs star point for point, scoring a career playoff-high 44 points in the loss.

Cleveland now holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and can advance to the next round with a victory in Game 6 scheduled for Friday night in the nation’s capitol.

Larry Hughes sprang for 24 points and Flip Murray donated 12 points off the bench. Eric Snow tallied the Cavs’ first five points of overtime and finished with 18 points.

Antawn Jamison contributed 32 points and Caron Butler came up large down the stretch with 20 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out during the extra session. Antonio Daniels added 13 points and seven assists in defeat.

Snow’s acrobatic, left-handed layup over Brendan Haywood gave Cleveland a 113-109 lead with 3:48 left in overtime.

Arenas then drained a tough fadeaway and Butler buried a jumper to square the contest at 113-113 with 2:48 on the clock.

Jamison made 1-of-2 from the line to hand Washington the lead, but Murray netted a short jumper and James made two free throws to make the score 117-114.

Butler then converted a pair from the charity stripe and Arenas’ layup again gave Washington the slight edge, 118-117.

Each defense was determined to make James and Arenas earn every point, as both players were fouled hard while driving to the basket on consecutive possessions. Both made a pair of free throws to keep Washington in front, 120-119, with 3.6 ticks left.

Cleveland called timeout and James caught the inbounds pass in the left corner. Three Wizards collapsed on the guard, but all three gave James a clear path on the baseline. James darted toward the basket and converted the layup with 0.9 seconds to play.

Washington threw the ball to Arenas, but he came up short on the three-quarter court heave as time expired.

The Wizards stormed back from a seven-point deficit in the final 2:40 to force overtime. Arenas showed his unselfishness by setting up Butler for a power layup to cut the deficit to 105-100 with 1:56 left.

After two free throws by James, the Wizards got the ball in space to Daniels and the guard converted a finger roll while being fouled. The successful bonus shot completed a three-point play and made the score 107-103.

Jamison missed a short jumper with just under 40 ticks left, but Butler grabbed the rebound on the baseline and went up strong for the putback to make the score 107-105.

James turned the ball over on the other end, and Daniels pushed the ball ahead to Butler for the streaking layup to square the contest at 107-107 with just 7.5 seconds remaining.

Cleveland called timeout and got the ball to James, but the superstar missed a jumper over two Washington defenders as time expired.

The Cavaliers held a 52-51 lead at the half and a 85-81 edge at the end of three quarters.

Game Notes

Cleveland improved to 6-0 in overtime games this season...The Cavs shot 54.3 percent from the floor, but attempted just five three-pointers...Washington drained 9-of-20 from beyond the arc, including a 6-of-9 effort from Arenas...Cleveland held a 46-34 edge on the glass...There were 17 lead changes and 21 ties, as the game remained close throughout.