WE ALL WITNESSED NBA HISTORY
There are no Game 8’s. Tonight’s NBA Finals game was for all of the accolades, for legacy and a place in the history books. A win for the Golden State Warriors confirms the best season in the history of the NBA and back-to-back championships. A win for the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the title back to the city since 1964 while securing the first ever series win after a 3-1 deficit.
Unlike a lot of the games before this, Game 7 started out competitive on both ends. The Cavs and Warriors came out attacking, going back and forth for much of the first quarter. It was only a one point game by the time the first ended.
In the second quarter it was much of the same, except the story line coming out of those 12 minutes was Draymond Green catching fire from downtown. He was perfect from three point range (5-5), helping the Warriors pull away from Cavs by the slightest of margins.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were punching back as much as they could, but Green had Oracle Arena roaring and as loud as humanly possible.
Cleveland was 1-14 from 3-point range in the first half, compared to Golden State, who went 10-21.
With their backs against the wall, the Cavs put up a fight in the third quarter. JR Smith hit a few triples to bring the score closer. Then Steph Curry turned on the motors on both ends of the court, causing turnovers that turned into transition buckets and treys off the dribble. But Kyrie will not let the Cavs get down. He was a beast in transition, making impossible buckets and giving Cleveland the largest lead of the game.
Golden State was not going down without a fight. They had the momentum to end the third quarter, with Shaun Livingston and the Warriors bench playing at a high level.
With all of the nerves kicking into high gear, the fourth quarter was completely electrifying as both teams were giving it all they got. The Splash Brothers started lighting it up. King James kept the Cavs alive by driving to the basket. The lead changes continued.
LeBron unlocked a triple double in the NBA Finals, only becoming the third to ever do it.
With two minutes left, the game was tied at 89 and it continued for much of it, until Irving hit a step back three against Curry to give the Cavs the lead.
Then LeBron had the chance to throw down the most thunderous dunk on Draymond, but missed and came down hard on his wrist. With the foul, he went to the free throw line and hit one of two free throws to make it a two possession game.
The next time up the floor was unsuccessful for the Warriors as they couldn’t hit a shot and the game ended.
King James finished the game with 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, while Kyrie matched him points wise with 26 of his own. JR Smith also contributed with 12 points.
On the other side of the ball, Draymond went off and dropped 32 points on the Cavs, but the Splash Brothers only combined for 31 points on the night.
BELIEVELAND doesn’t have to believe anymore because it has finally happened, with the King bringing home the franchise’s first ever NBA Championship.
FINAL: CLE 93 | GS 89
J.R. Smith sobs when discussing his family, and hugs his dad afterward.https://t.co/4Bf05uBtnn
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) June 20, 2016
JR Smith Gets Emotional In Post-Game Press Conference
LeBron says it feels fantastic, and he can't wait to get home to Cleveland pic.twitter.com/h1cK03dmBk
— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) June 20, 2016
LeBron James Has A Message For Cleveland
Richard Jefferson told @FOXSportsOH he's retiring from the game of basketball. He goes out on top.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 20, 2016