The forward Kevin Durant with 39 points led the Golden State Warriors’ winning and balanced attack that took 129-120 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fifth game of the NBA Finals and proclaimed themselves new champions.
The Warriors won 4-1 in the series to the best of seven and achieved the second title in the last three seasons taking in all the duels to the Cavaliers, who in the past were proclaimed champions after overcoming a disadvantage of 1-3.
Durant, who played his first season with the Warriors after quitting the Oklahoma City Thunder to become a free agent, was once again the decisive man in the Warriors’ attack by scoring 14 of 20 field shots, including 5 of 8 3-pointers , And it was perfect 6-6 from the line staff.
The Star forward of the Warriors also captured seven rebounds and handed out five assists to be named the MVP of the Finals.
Durant became the third player in NBA history to win the MVP award and join Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan in their first Finals.
“It was a dream season and the whole team deserves the award,” said Durant. “Incredible the way you work on this team and how we all fight together.”
Along with Durant, base Stephen Curry was also decisive with double-double of 34 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three recoveries of ball.
While reserve guard Andre Iguodala emerged again as the surprise factor and winner by getting 20 points after Klay Thompson returned to fail with just 11 points after failing nine of 13 field shots.
Power forward Draymond Green, who held his composure, also did a great team and defense work by getting a double-double of 10 points, 12 rebounds, gave five assists and recovered two balls.
The key to the game was in the second period when the Warriors broke the game in their favor with a 21-2 streak that would be decisive.
Then in the fourth when the Cavaliers attempted the comeback, Durant came out once again with his best wrist touch and scored 10 points, including a triple that would be decisive.
The Warriors reached the break with the advantage of 11 points (71-60), who never lost again, although the Cavaliers were placed several times to three points.
But this time unlike what happened last season, with Durant as a star, the Warriors responded again with winning streaks that assured them victory and maintained the tradition that no NBA team that have been down 0-3 have been able to go back .
Although star forward LeBron James shone again with a great individual performance by bringing a double-double of 41 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, recovered two balls and lost three.
James, who in 2012 won the Thunder with Durant in his first NBA Finals at the head of the Miami Heat, just after finishing the game went to embrace the star forward of the Warriors who spoke to him permanently in the ear.
Next to James, three Cavaliers starters had double figures, including 26 points from Kyrie Irving and 25 from JRSmith, as well as 15 points from center Tristan Thompson, who was unable to dominate this time. The game under the hoops.
The Cavaliers’ biggest disappointment was power forward Kevin Love who scored just six points (2-8, 0-3, 2-5), captured 10 rebounds and gave two assists.
While the Cavaliers bench provided 7 points for 35 of the Warriors’ reserves.
As soon as the game ended, the betting world in Las Vegas already gave the Warriors as the favorites to revalidate the championship title for the 2017-18 season.
