LeBron James responded emphatically to critics with a transcendent NBA Finals performance that not only kept the Cleveland Cavaliers' season alive but may have put a seed of doubt into the minds of the Golden State Warriors. James and teammate Kyrie Irving scored 41 points each for a desperate Cavaliers team that took advantage of the Warriors' playing without suspended defensive stalwart Draymond Green to pull within 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.