Hans Deryk / Reuters

Cleveland's LeBron James dunks the ball for two of his game-high 48 points in the Cavaliers' 109-107 double overtime win over the Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday. James scored 29 of his team's final 30 points, including the game-winning layup with 2.2 seconds left.

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

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

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

James’ previous playoff high, in just two postseasons, was a 45-point performance against Washington in the first round last year that set a franchise record.

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

Richard Hamilton scored 26, Chauncey Billups had 21 and Chris Webber scored 20. Rasheed Wallace had 17 points and Tayshaun Prince added 10.

It wasn’t enough to deny James.

“It’s frustrating,” Billups said. “He put on an unbelievable display out there. It’s probably the best I have seen against us ever in the playoffs.”

Notes: Both teams were slowed by foul trouble and Detroit had to play the final three quarters without its top reserve, forward Antonio McDyess, because his right arm appeared to hit Anderson Varejao’s neck as he went in for a layup and he was automatically ejected with a flagrant-two foul. ... James averaged 28½ 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. ... The Cavs won two games in their previous conference finals appearances, in 1976 and 1992. ... Cleveland PG Larry Hughes started for the second straight game, despite a foot injury, and provided a lift in the first quarter with eight points. ... Faces in the crowd included Anita Baker, New Orleans point guard Chris Paul and Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek, who said he still doesn’t know if he will retire or return to Detroit.

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