The Golden State Warriors earned
their NBA Title in four seasons after completing a comprehensive 4-0 series win
over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coach Steve Kerr described the triumph as “the
hardest so far” but his Warriors side routed the Cavs 108-84 to prevail in the
fourth consecutive finals meeting between the teams.
Stephen Curry scored 37 points for
the Warriors, while LeBron James claimed 23 in what could be his final Cavs
game. The 33-year-old American, playing in his eighth consecutive finals, said
he had "no idea at this point" about his future and would consider
the decision with his family.
The win added to the Golden State
Warriors' victories in 2015 and 2017 and was the first finals clean sweep since
the Cavs were demolished by San Antonio Spurs in 2007. It was the second time
the Warriors have secured the championship in Cleveland during Kerr's four-year
tenure. A James slam dunk had Cleveland ahead 39-38 halfway through the second
quarter, but Golden State responded to lead 61-52 at half-time and eased to
victory from there.
Curry top scored but it was Kevin
Durant who was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row, adding 20 points,
12 rebounds and a post-season career high of 10 assists. It was the 28th
consecutive play-off game in which he has scored at least 20 points. While
Golden State are building one of the great basketball dynasties, Cleveland's
future is clouded by uncertainty.
James,
widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation, is expected to leave
for a second time, having returned to the franchise in 2014 after departing for
Miami four years earlier. The three-time champion revealed he had played the
last three matches with a broken right hand, sustained after he scored his best
play-off points haul of 51 in the opener.
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