<P> Golden State won the two regular - season meetings against the Cavaliers but struggled down the stretch with multiple All - Star injuries . However, fueled by the return of Stephen Curry during the playoffs, the Warriors dominated the first and second rounds of the playoffs and advanced to their fourth consecutive Finals by overcoming a 3--2 deficit against the Houston Rockets . Cleveland also struggled during the second half of the season after overhauling their roster at the trade deadline with new, younger players . However, they still managed to beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games, sweep the Raptors, then overcome their own 3--2 deficit against the Boston Celtics to advance to the Finals . It was the first time that the same two teams in any of North America's four major professional sports leagues have met for a championship round four consecutive times . </P> <P> Game 1 was close with several lead changes . James would score 51 points . However, the game went to overtime, in part due to a controversial reversed charging foul call against Durant, a missed go - ahead free throw by George Hill with 4.7 seconds left, and JR Smith subsequently rebounding and dribbling out the clock, mistakenly believing his team to be ahead . The Warriors would dominate overtime, winning the game 124--114 . Several minor scuffles ensued in the closing seconds of overtime, culminating in Tristan Thompson getting ejected and later fined for shoving a basketball into the face of Draymond Green . After the game, Lebron James reportedly suffered a self - inflicted bone contusion onto his right hand after punching a whiteboard in the locker room . He played through the injury for the rest of the series, and it was not disclosed until after Game 4 . </P> <P> Game 2 was a more one - sided affair, with the Warriors winning 122--103 . Curry would set his own NBA Finals record with nine 3 - pointers in a Finals game . </P> <P> Game 3 was also close, as the teams exchanged leads several times . Curry struggled from the field, shooting only 3--16 (1--10 on 3's), while James set a record with his 10th Finals triple - double . However, Durant would lead the Warriors to a 110--102 victory, scoring a playoff career - high 43 points . </P>

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