The Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Cavaliers built an early lead then withstood repeated rallies to pull off a 115-101 win over the defending champions Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Friday (Philippine time).
LeBron James once again stepped up to the plate and scored 41 points to lead the Cavs, who now tied the series at 3-3 after trailing 1-3.
The deciding Game 7 will be played Monday (Philippine time) in Oakland.
Cleveland took off to a sizzling start and led, 31-11, after the first period but the Western champs Warriors sliced the lead to 16, 59-43 at the half.
Golden State kept coming back in the third and trailed by just nine, 80-71, entering the final quarter.
But the Cavs took care of business in the fourth, holding off the Warriors until the final buzzer for the series-tying win.
Reigning MVP Steph Curry led the Warriors with 30 points while Klay Thompson added 25.
Kyrie Irving backstopped James with 23 points while Tristan Thompson and JR Smith added 15 and 14, respectively.
Draymond Green, who was returning from a one-game suspension, managed just eight points for Golden State.