Warriors close out Cavaliers in Game 6 of NBA Finals for first title since 1975

The Golden State Warriors are your 2015 NBA champions, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.

Author:
Ben Golliver
Publish date:
Jun 16, 2015

CLEVELAND—The Larry O'Brien trophy is headed to the Bay Area for the first time in four decades.

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers105–97 Tuesday night in Cleveland to capture their first NBA championship since 1975. The Warriors grounded out the championship-sealing win, keeping the Cavaliers at bay by hitting four straight three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

This was another team effort from the deep, talented Warriors squad: Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds, NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala added 25 points and five assists, and Draymond Green finished with a triple double, posting 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

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The victory sealed a dominant 2014-15 campaign for the Warriors, who went 67-15 during the regular season and 16-5 during the postseason. The Warriors swept the Pelicans in the first round, defeated the Grizzlies 4-2 in the second round, and beat the Rockets 4-1 in the Western Conference finals en route to their six-game victory over the Cavaliers.

Stephen Curry, Warriors cap charmed title run with fitting finish in the Finals

LeBron James led all scorers with 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists. The four-time MVP falls to 2-4 in his six career Finals appearances.

The Finals turned on Warriors coach Steve Kerr's starting lineup change in Game 4. After falling behind 2-1 in the series, the first-year coach started forward Iguodala in place of Andrew Bogut, downsizing his lineup and forcing Cleveland into mismatches. That move paid off with three straight wins, as the Warriors blew out the Cavaliers in Game 4, scored a double-digit home victory in Game 5, and closed the door in Game 6.

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Golden State's clear depth advantage over an injury-ravaged Cleveland team was another key factor, as the Cavaliers limped to the finish without Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao

The championship marks the first title for every member of Golden State's roster.

GALLERY: Sports Illustrated's best NBA Finals photos from Game 6

Golden State Warriors Win The NBA Title

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

The Golden State Warriors won Game 6 of the NBA Finals 105-97 over the Cleveland Cavaliers to clinch the franchise's first NBA title since 1975.

The Warriors are the third straight one-seed to win the title, following in footsteps of the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Miami Heat in 2013.

Golden State trailed by two points early in the third quarter but quieted the crowd in Cleveland, which has seen the city's three pro teams go a combined 144 seasons without one of them winning a championship.

James was replaced in the final seconds, but before he left the court, the four-time MVP shook hands with Steph Curry and offered congratulations to coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the Warriors. (Text credit: AP)

Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP and celebrates here with regular season MVP Steph Curry.

Inserted into the Warriors starting lineup for the first time all season in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Andre Iguodala proved his worth by helping lead Golden State to three consecutive wins and the title. He scored 25 in Game 6.

Draymond Green, pictured here holding down Timofey Mozgov, enjoyed a triple double in Game 6 -- 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Steph Curry goes to the left hand to score two of his 25 points.

LeBron James had 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists in the losing effort.

Klay Thompson scored five points for Golden State before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Steph Curry and the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 28-18 in the third quarter, quieting a rocking Cleveland crowd in the process. (Text credit: AP)

Cleveland outrebounded Golden State 56-39 in Tuesday's game.

Steph Curry made only three of his 11 three-point attempts and hit eight of 19 overall.

Tristan Thompson throws down two of his 15 points.

Draymond Green muscles up over LeBron James, who has now lost in four NBA Finals.

LeBron James returned to Ohio this season to try to end Cleveland's title drought but didn't have a strong enough supporting cast after season-ending injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.