The Golden State Warriors are through to their fifth straight NBA Finals after a 119-117 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green combined to claim the game-clinching score in Portland.
The pair produced triple-double performances as the defending champions ensured they swept the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series 4-0.
They will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors in the Finals.
Golden State join the Boston Celtics – who made 10 straight NBA Finals between 1957-66, winning nine of them – as the only team ever to reach at least five consecutive NBA Finals after winning their 11th consecutive play-off series.
“I hope it doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “Five straight Finals hasn’t been done since the ’60s, hasn’t been done for a reason. It’s very, very difficult.”
Curry finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Green chipped in with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists as the Warriors eased past Portland.
Their triple-doubles (double-digit total in three of the following categories: points, total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) were the first posted by team-mates in an NBA play-off game as the Warriors again fought back from a half-time deficit, as they did in games two and three.
Portland led 69-65 at half-time and 95-78 late in the third quarter. The Warriors’ victory means it is the first time a team has erased 15-point deficits in three consecutive play-off wins.
Meyers Leonard scored a career-high 30 points for Portland, although Curry’s lay-up drew the Warriors level at 104-104 with four minutes 34 seconds remaining.
The game was tied at 111-111 at the end of regulation time, before Curry spotted Green open for a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 119-115 lead with just 39.6 seconds remaining in overtime.
Damian Lillard, who had 28 points, got Portland within two with 32.8 seconds left but then had a shot blocked before misfiring a desperate three-point attempt at the death.
Curry brothers make NBA history
Stephen and younger brother Seth made history in the series, becoming the first brothers to face off in an NBA Conference Final.
While Stephen, 31, has twice been named the NBA’s most valuable player (2015, 2016), Seth reached the play-offs for the first time in his career this season.
Despite Stephen coming out on top, becoming the fifth man to score 30 points in every game of a four-game sweep, he was full of praise for his brother.
Speaking to reporters after the game, he said: “Somebody had to lose, but this is just the beginning for him and his career in terms of being on this stage.
“He’s proved to a lot of people that not only does he belong, but he can play big minutes in play-off games.
“We’ll remember this for the rest of our lives, this is what it’s all about.”
NBA play-offs: Golden State Warriors into fifth straight NBA Finals after eliminating Portland Trail Blazers
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