Who Won The Championship? The NBA Finals Recap
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It was a hard-fought battle, but the Golden State Warriors are once again the NBA champions. Here’s a recap of the 2017 Finals.
The Golden State Warriors Win the Championship
It was a battle between the two best teams in the league. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a back and forth battle but in the end, the Warriors came out on top. They are the 2019 NBA Champions.
The Warriors defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers
In one of the most anticipated rematches in NBA Finals history, the Golden State Warriors exacted revenge on the Cleveland Cavaliers, defeating them in five games to capture their second championship in three years. After blowing a 3-1 lead in last year’s Finals, the Warriors came out with a vengeance in 2017, led by Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
The series was not as close as the final score might indicate, as the Warriors won the first three games handily before the Cavaliers avoided a sweep with a game four victory. In game five, the Cavaliers kept it close for three quarters before the Warriors pulled away in the fourth to win 129-120 and take the series.
This was an historic Finals matchup, as it was the first time two teams had met in three straight Finals. It was also a matchup of two of the best players in NBA history, as LeBron James faced off against Steph Curry. In the end, it was Durant who proved to be the difference maker, as he averaged 35.2 points per game en route to his first championship.
The Warriors win the series 4-1
The Warriors defeat the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, winning the series 4-1. This is the Warriors’ third championship in four years.
What Happened in the Finals?
The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers met in the finals for the fourth consecutive year. For the Warriors, they were looking to avenge their loss from last year and cement themselves as a dynasty. The Cavaliers were looking to give LeBron James his fourth title.
The Cavaliers win Game 1
The Cavaliers came out on top in the first game of the Finals, winning 108-100. LeBron James led the way for Cleveland, scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and adding 8 assists. Kyrie Irving chipped in with 23 points. For Golden State, Kevin Durant was the leading scorer with 38 points and Stephen Curry had 28. The Warriors will look to even the series in Game 2, which takes place on Sunday night.
The Warriors win Games 2-5
It was a see-saw series in which the home team won every game. The Golden State Warriors took Games 2, 3, and 5 on their home court to win the championship, while the Toronto Raptors held serve with victories in Games 1 and 4.
In the end, it was the Warriors’ superior firepower that proved decisive. Golden State had too many weapons for the Raptors to contain, as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant combined to average 75 points per game in the series. The Warriors also got key contributions from their bench, with Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston each averaging over 10 points per game.
For the Raptors, it was a disappointing end to an otherwise magical season. Kawhi Leonard was outstanding throughout the series, averaging 28 points and 9 rebounds per game. But he didn’t have enough help, as no other Raptor averaged more than 15 points per game in the series.
What Were the Key Moments of the Finals?
The 2020 NBA Finals were one of the most anticipated matchups in recent history. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstar LeBron James, took on the Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler. In a close series, the Lakers came out on top, winning the championship in six games. Let’s take a look at some of the key moments that led to their victory.
The Warriors’ come-from-behind win in Game 3
The Warriors found themselves in a tough spot, down 2-0 in the series and facing a must-win Game 3. They came out strong, taking an early lead. But the Raptors fought back, and by halftime, the Warriors were down by six.
In the second half, the Warriors turned up the defensive intensity and slowly began to claw their way back into the game. With under a minute to go, they tied it up at 90-90. Then, in the final seconds of the game, Steph Curry hit a dagger three-pointer to give the Warriors the lead. The Raptors had one last chance to tie it up, but Kawhi Leonard’s shot bounced off the rim, giving the Warriors a 3-0 series lead.
The Cavaliers’ Game 4 victory
The Cavaliers’ Game 4 victory was a turning point in the series. After losing the first three games, the Cavaliers won Game 4 by a score of 112–97. The victory gave them momentum, and they went on to win the next two games and become the NBA champions.
The Warriors’ clinching win in Game 5
The Warriors clinched the championship in Game 5 with a win over the Cavaliers. It was a close game, but the Warriors came out on top, securing their third title in four years.
The key moments of the game were when the Warriors went on a 13-0 run in the second quarter to take the lead, and when they held off a late surge by the Cavaliers to seal the victory.
