AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — LeBron James used one of the most spectacularperformances in playoff history to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to the verge oftheir greatest season.

James’ career playoff-high 48 points — including 29 of his team’s final 30 — carried the Cavaliers to within a win of the NBA finals for the first time infranchise history with a 109-107 double-overtime victory over the DetroitPistons on Thursday night.

James made a go-ahead layup with 2.2 seconds left and Detroit’s ChaunceyBillups missed a shot in the lane on the ensuing possession.

It was one of the many driving shots that James made look easy.

“Why should I be surprised? I was making a lot of great moves,” Jamessaid. “They are definitely a great defensive team, but I was determined toattack.”

The Pistons blew a seven-point lead with 3:15 left in regulation and lostthe third straight game in the series after winning the first two at home.

Game 6 is Saturday night in Cleveland and if necessary, Game 7 will beMonday night back at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated Utah on Wednesday, have a week offbefore hosting Game 1 of the NBA finals.

Detroit can only hope the series ends like its last postseason matchup withthe Cavs.

The Pistons won the first two games of the conference semifinals last year,then lost three straight and needed to win on the road and then at home in Game7.

James was 18-of-33 from the field, making both of his 3-pointers, and10-of-14 from the free throw line. He also had nine rebounds, seven assists andtwo steals in a performance that might end up be a defining game of his career.

“We tried to trap him and get it out of his hands, but he attacked,”Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. “We’ll definitely have to do somethingdifferent next time.”

AP – May 31, 11:53 pm EDT

The 22-year-old star showed he’s human, though, airballing a shot justbefore the shot clock expired with 6.6 seconds left in the first overtime thatgave Detroit a chance to force another period.

James put Billups on the line with 3.1 seconds left and he made two freethrows to make it 100-all.

The Cavs have prided themselves on not being a one-man show, but James justabout did it alone against a team in the conference finals for the fifthstraight year.

He simply took over late in regulation and in both overtimes, choosing toattack the basket with driving layups and dunks instead of deferring toteammates.

James scored 32 more points than Cleveland’s second-leading scorer, ZydrunasIlgauskas, who fouled out with 16 points. Rookie Daniel Gibson, who also fouledout, was the only other double-digit scorer, with 11.

“Somebody told me that in the locker room that he scored 29 of our last 30points and I could not believe it,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “Everybodykeeps asking for more, and he keeps giving more.

“I feel bad that my words don’t do justice what he did.”

The Pistons, meanwhile, seemed to finally put a complete game together andeach of their starters scored at least 10.

Richard Hamilton scored 26, Chauncey Billups had 21 and Chris Webber scored20. Rasheed Wallace had 17 points and Tayshaun Prince added 10.

It wasn’t enough.

Notes

Both teams were slowed by foul trouble and Detroit had to play thefinal three quarters without its top reserve, forward Antonio McDyess, becausehis right arm appeared to hit Anderson Varejao’s neck as he went in for a layupand he was automatically ejected with a flagrant-two foul. … James averaged28 1/2 points in two games at home after scoring 29 total in the first two games,including a playoff-low 10 points in the series opener. … Faces in the crowdincluded Anita Baker, New Orleans point guard Chris Paul and Red Wingsgoaltender Dominik Hasek, who said he still doesn’t know if he will retire orreturn to Detroit.