Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Finals Game 5 live scores, blog

Match Results:

The Golden State Warriors have claimed the NBA Championship in five games, with Kevin Durant leading the way in a nine-point victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to wrap it up on their home floor.

After LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the way to hold off a series sweep in Game 4, Durant and Stephen Curry fired back on their home floor, flipping the game on its head during the second quarter and not looking back for the remainder.

The Cavaliers started Game 5 how they ended Game 4, shooting the ball brilliantly at over 50 per cent to take a four-point lead into the first break.

Golden State came out in the second quarter and flipped the script though, running up 38-23 throughout. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry led the charge, but they got some brilliant output from bench star Andre Igoudala.

It was also a tip of the hat to their defence. While the roll on of momentum helped, the Cavaliers simply couldn’t get the lid off the bucket during the second.

Heading into the final minute of the first half, the Cavaliers found themselves down by 17 before JR Smith hit two back-to-back threes, bringing the lead back to 11 points at the halftime buzzer.

On the back of the second quarter performance, Kevin Durant would finish the game with 39 points on 14 of 20 shooting. Steph Curry also had 34 for the contest, including 12 of 15 from the free throw line. He got aggressive early and didn’t let up.

While Durant was the difference, David West and Andre Igoudala were sensational off the bench, adding plenty to the effort.

LeBron James got rolling again in the third quarter though, bringing the Cavaliers back from a position where it looked like they had little help. By the final break, the lead was down to five.

James went on to end the game with another 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, finishing the finals with a triple double average, while Irving and JR Smith ended with 26 and 25 respectively.

On the road, it was always going to be difficult for the Cavaliers to come from behind down the stretch and while they fought all the way with LeBron doing it all, they just couldn’t get over the line.

Durant and Curry continued to slowly skip the lead out, getting it to double figures and then keeping it locked in throughout the final couple of minutes to ensure they would win the NBA Championship.

Final score

Golden State Warriors 129
Cleveland Cavaliers 120

Match Preview:

The Golden State Warriors suffered their first loss of the NBA Finals in Game 4, but will have another chance to wrap up the championship on home court against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Game 5 from 11am (AEST).

The Cavaliers, down 3-0 and needing to win four straight for the Championship came out all guns blazing in a physical and downright weird fourth game.

Fouls left right and centre hampered the flow of the game, but the Cavaliers outside shooting stole the show with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James leading them to a 21-point victory.

It was a record-breaking game, with the Cavaliers scoring a ridiculous 49 points in the first quarter. They were helped along their way by a heap of fouls in the first half, shooting 20 free throws by the main break.

Even without the free throws, it’s the first time the Cavaliers have looked the better side all series after three blowout wins for the Warriors to get things underway.

James, Irving and Kevin Love – their version of the big three led things along early, but the support they received was enormous and something they have been lacking all season.

Tristan Thompson was more than willing to work on the boards, and it created an advantage in the paint for the Cavaliers, while others, led by Richard Jefferson all played their best games of the series.

The support off the bench was the tipping point for the Cavaliers as they muscled up in the paint. They were happy to play the game at the Warriors pace, and they beat them at their own game.

It followed the first half of both Game 2 and Game 3, where they were right in the fight before fading in the second 24 minutes – something they didn’t allow to happen in Game 4.

It needs to be noted though, that with the exception of Kevin Durant the Warriors quiet. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson – the later of whom started to look like he was back to his usual self in Game 3 – scored just 27 points between them.

What the Warriors will need to be wary of is their turnover ratio. It’s picked right up since they set an NBA Finals record of four in a Game first time out, and it’s blocked their offence at times.

If they keep making turnovers and committing silly fouls, then they don’t deserve to win. They must play smarter, in a similar frame to what they did in Game 1 and if need be, slow the pace of the game down.

Prediction
The Warriors are back at home, and it took a record-breaking effort for the Cavaliers to get over the line in Game 4. As much as I want to see more Basketball, this is going to be all she wrote.

Warriors by 5.

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