Cavs avoid elimination in record-setting 136-117 win, down 3-1 in series

Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers put on a record-setting offensive display in a 137-116 victory that will send the series back to Oakland for Game 5 on Monday.

Kyrie Irving, who scored 28 of his 40 points in the first half, was the biggest catalyst for Cleveland in a offensive barrage that included a finals-record 24 3-pointers.

Lebron James,who is averaging a triple-double in the series, had 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth Finals triple double, passing Magic Johnson for the most all-time. James passed Michael Jordan (1,176 points) for third on the NBA Finals' all-time scoring list. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,317 points) and Jerry West (1,679 points) are ahead of him.

Kevin Love was outstanding from outside, shooting 6-of-8 from 3-point range for 23 points.

The Cavaliers set an NBA Finals record for points in a quarter with 49 in the first, and continued their offensive onslaught with 86 points in the first half. Cleveland led 86-68 at the break and it could've been worse. The Cavs were just 17-of-26 at the line in the opening two quarters.

The Cavs then held on during a wild and chippy third and fourth quarter that was slowed down by the refs and also included technical fouls, James jawing with fellow superstar Kevin Durant and Cleveland's crowd roaring like a jet engine.

"It's do or die," Irving said when asked why elimination games bring the best out of him. "We understand that."

Cavaliers coach Tyronne Lue said, "Believeland is not going to give up. We're gonna keep scrapping, keep fighting."

Durant finished with 35 to lead Golden State. Draymond Green added 16 points and 14 boards. Stephen Curry shot 4-of-13 for 14 points and Klay Thompson added 13.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, "They came out and handed it to us. Simple as that."

The Cavs halted the Warriors’ 15-0 postseason run and sent the series back to the Bay down 3-1.

If the Golden State Warriors are going to win the NBA Finals and reclaim their throne — and make a case for being the greatest team in history — they’ll have to keep the Cavs from coming back down 3-1 — again.

No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs.

But until the Cavs did it last year, no team had ever rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the Finals. Cleveland took Game 3 at home, lost Game 4 and then won the final three games — Game 7 in Oakland — to capture the city's first sports championship since 1964.

As the final seconds ticked off, Cleveland fans chanted "Cavs in 7."

COMING UP FOR THE CAVS: Cavaliers (1-3) will face the Warriors (3-1) at the Oracle in Oakland on Monday. Tip off is at 9 pm.