Late Curry heroics put Warriors on verge of NBA championship

OAKLAND (NBA) - Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry turned in another brilliant performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night to put the Warriors on the brink of the NBA title.

The USA guard poured in 17 of his team-high 37 points in the fourth quarter as Golden State broke open a close game and claimed a 104-91 Game 5 triumph over the Cavs.

Once trailing 2-1 in the NBA Finals, Curry and the Warriors have now won two straight and lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 on Tuesday night in Cleveland.

Curry, who had scored 22 points in Golden State's Game 4 triumph over the Cavs, turned on the style once again but this time, in front of the Warriors faithful at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

LeBron James, who has been carrying the Cavs on his back in the NBA Finals, had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

He, too, was tremendous and it helped his team stay in the hunt for victory into the fourth quarter.

Canadian power forward Tristan Thompson also turned in another huge performance for Cleveland with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a couple of steals.

The Cavs weren't able to withstand Golden State's hot shooting in the final frame, though.

Curry was sensational, drilling seven shots from long range on the night.

He [Curry] took over the game down the stretch and was fantastic - Warriors head coach Steve Kerr

Cleveland coach David Blatt tipped his hat to the USA star he first coached against while leading Russia's national side at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.

"Not a lot you can do, honestly," Blatt said.

"He made some terrific shots."

Klay Thompson, the second-leading scorer in the USA side that rolled to the FIBA Basketball World Cup title last year, marveled at the latest performance of his fellow Splash Brother and Warriors teammate.

"We didn't turn it over, we were patient," Klay Thompson said.

"And two words: Stephen Curry." 

Cleveland are nevertheless still in confident mood and especially James.

"I feel confident because I'm the best player in the world," he said.

"It's that simple."

Blatt certainly could not have asked for anymore from James on Sunday.

"LeBron has been tremendous - [that's] even an understatement for how he's played in the series," Blatt said.

"Under the current set of circumstances, that's what we've got to get, and he's bringing it.

"You don't see that every day, what he's doing. You've got to take your hat off to him, too."

James has been in this situation before, down 3-2 in an NBA Finals, and still won the title.

He did so with the Miami Heat.

There is still plenty of basketball to play and it's going to be fun watching.

FIBA