Warriors beat Cavaliers to clinch NBA title

Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) celebrates with fans in the stands after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena – USA TODAY Sports

Reuters: The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 on Monday to win their second NBA championship in three seasons and cap a near-perfect run through the playoffs.

The Warriors, who beat Cleveland in the 2015 Finals only to lose to them last year after squandering a 3-1 series lead, went a record-setting 15-1 in the playoffs, their only loss coming in Game Four of the best-of-seven championship. The win spelled redemption for the Warriors, who brought forward Kevin Durant over from the Oklahoma City Thunder last offseason to bolster their already high-powered offense.

Durant, who lost in his only previous Finals appearance, led the way for the Warriors with 39 points and was relieved after feeling pressure to deliver prior to the game.