The numbers behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s historic Game 5 (Ball Don’t Lie)

Cleveland's LeBron James and Kyrie Irving became the first teammates ever to each score 40-plus points in an NBA Finals game with an historic performance in their Cavaliers' 112-97 do-or-die Game 5 victory against the Warriors in Golden State, but that doesn't begin to explain just how impressive they were. While we understand numbers cannot replace the experience of watching greatness unfold on the court, maybe they'll help us appreciate their Game 5 effort even more. Statistics often lie, but in this case, they can uncover a bit more of the whole truth, which in essence is that they were beyond brilliant. And if that wasn't clear enough watching the game, these stats should drive that point home like this LeBron dunk: According to the Elias Sports Bureau , only two other players have ever scored 40 points in victory when facing NBA Finals elimination: Elgin Baylor (1963 and 1966) and Wilt Chamberlain (1970). Then, 36 years passed before both James and Irving did it in the same game. Oh, don't worry, we're just getting started. [ Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] Of course, James and Irving didn't just score 82 points (41 apiece) — on...