The Golden State Warriors have won their first NBA title since 1975 by clinching a 4-2 series triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland needed a win to force a series decider after falling behind at the weekend, but the Warriors dominated in Ohio to secure a 105-97 triumph.
© Getty Images
Regular-season MVP Stephen Curry scored 25 points and eight assists, while Draymond Green recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
LeBron James took charge of the Cavaliers offense from the start of the game, a responsibility which has allowed him to register historic NBA Finals numbers in the absence of injured teammates Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
However, the Warriors were in charge early in the game as they outscored the hosts 28-15 inside the opening 12 minutes, and despite finishing the night with 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists, James was unable to drag his side to another unlikely result.
Supported by a crowd desperate for their first title, Cleveland responded in the second quarter to cut the deficit to just two.
It was the third period which proved to be key, though, as Curry and Andre Iguodala, who scored a season-high 25 points, once again took control to expose the weaknesses in Cleveland's defensive game.
© Getty Images
Another Cavaliers response followed as they briefly moved within seven points of the Warriors after trailing by 12 with one quarter to play.
Curry hit two key three-pointers to halt the home side's momentum, while Festus Ezeli and Shaun Livingston, who both contributed 10 points, made an impact off the bench.
The Cavaliers' challenge looked to be finished as the Warriors pulled away in the closing stages, with Curry orchestrating proceedings for a team which has managed to win a title without having a single player who has appeared in the NBA Finals before.
There was still time for late drama when JR Smith hit a couple of three-point shots in the final minute to help his side reduce the Golden State lead to just four, but Curry made two key free throws under pressure as the visitors finally silenced the home supporters.
It ensured that James would miss out on a title on his first season back in Cleveland after success with the Miami Heat, but it was a deserved success for the Warriors and Steve Kerr, who becomes the first rookie coach to lift the trophy since Pat Riley with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982.
