The Golden State Warriors have been crowned the 2017 National Basketball Association champions after smashing the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five at Oracle Arena.
LeBron James, last year's Finals MVP, led the Cavaliers with 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists but it was not enough as the home team came out on top. "And, yes, we were able to hit the switch, but those games in January, those games in November, games that people think that's not important, they're important to me, and they would have been important to our ball club", James said. I'm just excited to do something special. "I would hope we're more ready, more prepared tonight". In a most handsome and poetic finish, the Warriors, who came into Monday night's game leading the Finals series 3-1, pulled off a flawless victory and won the game with a 9 point lead, leaving no doubt that they are the champions. Kyrie Irving added 26 points and J.R. Smith 25 in a losing cause. "We're champions. And we're celebrating on our home court". It won't start until October, but speculation on what teams will make additions to their respective rosters, potential draft picks, trades and more, will go down in between.
But in the fourth quarter, leading by five, the Warriors turned to the man they brought in to get them back over the hump: Kevin Durant.
"It's just a great group of guys, great community, great arena, great fans", Durant said.
LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 41 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.
Qatar Airways shrugs off row over terror
The airline CEO said he did not expect Qatar to be treated in this way by a country "so dependent on its fight against terrorism". The Middle East's biggest airlines are suspending flights to Qatar as a major diplomatic crisis roils the region.
Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP, came up with his 2017 postseason-best 20 points off the bench. A 15-6 run led by six points from Irving got them within five, and after the Warriors pushed it back to 10, the Cavs scored six straight points, with Thompson's dunk cutting their deficit to 90-86.
Lue also did not order his team to foul the Warriors in the final minutes, which is customary to stop the clock and give the trailing team a chance to trade three-point baskets for one or two free throws.
But James, in his seventh consecutive playoff series and eighth overall, fell to 3-5 in the championship round.
However, as long as the core of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green remain in Golden State, then their odds likely won't change. Durant was almost flawless in Game 5, scoring 39 points on 14-20 shooting, with seven rebound and five assists. Down 3-0 and with their backs against the wall, the Cavs made a statement with a 21-point win in Game 4.
Comments