California: LeBron James probably played one of the best matches of his life as Cleveland Cavaliers dethroned defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title.


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The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.


The Cavaliers are the first team in history to win after trailing 3-1 in the final series.


This is LeBron James third NBA title.


"Cleveland, this is for you," a tearful James screamed on the court after the frantic final seconds.


James scored 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and passed off 11 assists -- only the third "triple double" in a finals seventh game -- to take the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for the third time in his career, humbling a Warriors team that won a record 73 regular-season games.


"We were able to put together some spectacular games down 3-1," James said. "This is special. I kept that positive attitude. I don`t know why we had to take the hard road. Against all odds."


"King" James made good on the promise he made to his hometown after returning in 2014 from Miami, the city he left for in 2010 to learn how to become a champion, leaving behind fans who felt betrayed and some who burned replica James` jerseys.


"For us to be able to end this drought, our fans deserve it. And it was for them," James said. "To continue to be an inspiration to our city means everything."