LeBron James Outduels Paul George as Cavaliers Hang on for 2 OT Win vs. Pacers

If Sunday's showdown was any indication, a playoff matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers would be a treat for NBA fans.

The Cavaliers prevailed 135-130 in a double-overtime thriller Sunday that saw Cleveland's LeBron James and Indiana's Paul George exchange proverbial blows:

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Field Goals	Three-Pointers
LeBron James	41	16	11	2	16-of-29	3-of-10
Paul George	43	9	9	3	16-of-33	6-of-6

ESPN Stats & Info put the performance from each into perspective:

"

LeBron's 41 points tonight are the 2nd-most he's ever scored in a triple-double. He scored 43 points in a triple-double twice in his career. pic.twitter.com/CA72gFTQZt

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 3, 2017"

Despite putting up 43 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, George had an opportunity to win the game in overtime when his team was trailing by one. He drew a foul with two seconds remaining but only converted one of two free throws before he missed a buzzer beater after Indiana stole Cleveland's ensuing inbounds pass. 

The Cavaliers ultimately pulled away in double-overtime and moved to 49-27 and a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana dropped to 37-40, which is tied with the Miami Heat for the No. 8 spot.

George and James were the headliners, but they received some critical help. George's overtime stretch with one made a free throw and the missed buzzer-beater came after J.R. Smith drilled a three in the waning moments to turn a 113-111 deficit into a one-point advantage.

Smith finished with 18 points, while Kevin Love scored nine of his 20 points in the double-overtime period by enforcing his will down low and extending his game beyond the three-point line.

As for Indiana, C.J. Miles scored 27 points off the bench.

Still, it was James and George who thrilled the viewers, and they didn't wait until overtime. They each threw down rim-rattling slams over each other in the first half, which set the tone for the classic that followed.

The two stars have some work to do if that potential No. 1 vs. No. 8 seed (or No. 2 vs. No. 7) showdown is going to happen. Cleveland plays the Orlando Magic Tuesday in its next game, while Indiana faces the Toronto Raptors the same day.

Fans can only hope James and George continue to deliver to set up a playoff meeting after their displays of basketball brilliance Sunday.

Postgame Reaction

James was asked about an argument he had with Tristan Thompson the cameras caught, per Tom Withers of the Associated Press (h/t the Washington Post):

"

I had good intentions but I was a little bit too demonstrative at that point in the game. I can't show up my teammates. Double T worked hard, he's a big-time player for our team. I had good intentions of what I wanted to happen, but the way it came out, it didn't look good on TV.

"

George looked at the big picture after the loss, per Withers: "If we play like that to finish the season off I'll be happy with where we land. If we can give this effort, we’ll make the playoffs."