In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, LeBron James was 8-of-18 shooting outside the paint, his most such shots and his second-most made shots in a game this season. In Game 1 through Game 4, he was a combined 9-of-28 outside the paint.

Game 5 proved that James not only can make a jumper but also is willing to take them, and that could mean good things for the Cleveland Cavaliers if it continues. James’ top two games outside the paint this series have been Cavaliers wins.

But why is James’ jump shot so important to the Cavaliers’ success?

It gives him a way to beat Iguodala

No one on the Warriors guards James more frequently than Andre Iguodala. In the Finals, Iguodala has finished 138 plays as James’ defender, 63 more than the next-closest defender (Harrison Barnes). Iguodala was also the primary defender on Kevin Durant in the Western Conference finals. (A play is any trip down the court that results in a shot, turnover or trip to the free throw line.)

In the Cavaliers’ three losses this series, James took seven shots on 71 plays against Iguodala (10 percent of plays), two of which were jumpers. In the Cavaliers’ two wins, James has 17 shots on 67 plays against Iguodala (25 percent of plays), 11 of which were jumpers.

The jumper matters against Iguodala because James can’t do much else against him.

Iguodala doesn’t let James drive frequently. James has six shots off drives against Iguodala this series, compared with 26 against everyone else.

James has committed nine turnovers against Iguodala in the half-court offense this series. He has six turnovers against all others in the half-court offense (as well as four in transition).

More importantly, when James doesn’t go after Iguodala, the rest of the Cavaliers’ offense struggles. The Cavaliers shot 29.6 percent in their three losses this series on plays when Iguodala guarded James. They shot 56.6 percent in their two wins on those plays.

It opens up the paint for others

James has 30 more points in the paint and 21 more field goal attempts in the paint than any other Cavaliers player in the NBA Finals.

By taking more jumpers, James keeps the defense more honest, and in return that gives the rest of the team easier paths to the paint.

Excluding James’ shooting, the rest of the Cavaliers are shooting 58.9 percent from the paint in wins in the Finals compared with 44.3 percent in losses.

Kyrie Irving is 12-of-18 in the paint in the Cavaliers’ wins this series. He’s 13-of-30 in losses.

Tristan Thompson is 6-of-9 in wins. He’s 12-of-25 in losses.

Richard Jefferson is 6-of-8 in wins. He’s 6-of-10 in losses.

Driving lanes are clearer when James shoots from outside. The Cavaliers have scored 21.5 points per game (on 65.3 percent shooting) on drives by someone other than James in wins in this series and 12.7 points per game (on 35.9 percent shooting) in losses.