CLEVELAND - LeBron James had 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists as Cleveland staved off elimination by beating Orlando 112-102 on Thursday in game five of the Eastern Conference championship series.

James and the Cavaliers clamped down in the fourth quarter after blowing a 22 point first half lead to cut the Magic's series lead to three games to two.

"It was a big game for us," James said. "You never want to disappoint by not playing as hard as you can. It is win or go home."

Dwight Howard had 24 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out for the Magic who are trying to end a 14 year finals drought. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 29 points.

James carried the Cavaliers on his back in the fourth as he had a hand in 29 of the 34 points Cleveland scored in the final 12 minutes.

He had 17 points in the final quarter and 24 in the first half.

"That's what great players do. They put teams on their back," said Cleveland coach Mike Brown.

Game six is Saturday in Orlando with game seven if necessary Monday in Cleveland.

"We have got to play the same way," James said. "Play gritty, get the ball up the court, attack and bring it back here."

Mo Williams had 24 points for Cleveland who are trying to become the ninth team since 1947 to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a series.

The Cavaliers are trying to bring a title to the drought starved city of Cleveland.

Orlando's Howard fouled out with 2:22 remaining while trying to stop one of James' drives to the basket. James got the basket and made the free throw to give Cleveland a 102-93 lead.

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