Warriors defeat Cavs to win 2017 NBA trophy; Durant named Finals MVP
The Golden State Warriors won their second NBA championship in three seasons after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Finals with 129-120 victory at Oracle Arena, Oakland, California.
NBA All-Star Kevin Durant was named the Most Valuable player of the NBA Finals averaging 35.2 points per game on 55.5 percent shooting from the field, 47.4 percent shooting from the three point territory and a 92.7 percent mark from the free-throw line.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was the one who announced Durant as the Finals MVP.
“In his 10th year in the league, he’s been a perennial All-Star. He’s been the league MVP. But he’s never been the Finals MVP. Your Bill Russell 2017 Finals MVP: Kevin Durant.” Silver said
Durant was the first player to post five straight 30-point games in an NBA Finals series since NBA Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal in 2000. He also joined Magic Johnson (1980) and Moses Malone (1983) as the third player in NBA history to win Finals MVP in his first year with the new team.
Finals MVP Durant finished a career-high 39 points in a 14-of-20 shooting that includes seven rebounds and five assists as the Golden State raised their second Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Moreover, two-time MVP Stephen Curry added 34 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals to help the team win the title.
Not to be overlooked was Andre Iguodala, who scored 20 points and reminisce his MVP-caliber performance in 2015.
The Warriors made sure that the history will not be repeated after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Cavaliers last year as they closed out the series in five games (4-1) to complete a remarkable 16-1 post-season record.
On the other end, four-time MVP LeBron James had a game-high 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for the Cleveland while Kyrie Irving finished 26 points.
J.R Smith made 25 points with his 7-of-8 three pointers but defensive breakdowns by the Cavs led to easy baskets for the Warriors to win the championship trophy.
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Photo Credit: warriorswitter
