Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose scored 31 points during game 4 of the eastern conference semi-finals, but it was still not enough to defeat Cleveland Cavaliers, as LeBron James closed out the game in the dying seconds with a buzzer beater.
With the score reading 86-84 in favour of the Cavs, the series is tied at 2-2.
The game almost looked done and dusted after the Cavs put up a below-par performance in the third quarter of the game, as they only managed 12 points. But the Cavs turned up the heat in the final quarter of the game outscoring the Bulls 25-16, which eventually helped them win the crucial encounter.
James was the highest scorer for Cavs with 25 points and the star player needs to come up with similar performances to help his team win. James even explained how the team went for the kill in the remaining seconds of the fourth game.
"I told Coach (David Blatt) there was no way I'm taking the ball out unless I could shoot it over the backboard and go in," AP quoted James as saying.
"So I told him, 'Have somebody else take the ball out.' The play that was drawn up, I scratched it. I just told Coach, 'Just give me the ball. We're either going to go into overtime or I'm going to win it for us.'"
Now, the fifth game of the series between the two, which takes place at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland on Tuesday, holds utmost importance. The team, which turns triumphant, will take a crucial lead in the best-of- seven series.
But one wonders how long James can come up with magical performances. With players such as Kyrie Irving not fully fit, Cavs have not looked the team they were during the regular season.
Despite playing 42 minutes in game 4, Irving scored only 12 points, way too less than the standard he has set for himself this season.
Irving said he is trying to do his best.
"It's just about finding ways to be more effective, especially being out there," Irving said. "I still can shoot. You still have to respect me out there. It's not like they can just leave me or anything like that. But I just try to use myself as a decoy and make plays as best I can."
The Bulls have given Cavs a run for their money in the series. Their players such as Jimmy Buttler and Derrick Rose have showed their skills in the series. Pau Gasol missed their last game.
In the four matches played so far in the series, barring game 2, all of them have been evenly contested, so expect a high-voltage game 5 at Quicken Loans Arena.
Where to Watch Live
The NBA Playoffs semi-finals game 5 between Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls is scheduled for 7pm ET (4:30am IST, 12am BST) start.
Viewers in the US can watch the game live on TNT.
Viewers in India can watch it live on Sony Six.
NBA fans can also watch the Playoffs live on NBA.com
