LEBRON JAMES and the Cavaliers made history Sunday, by becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 Finals deficit.

    Magnificent. It’s the only word that can describe this spectacular three-game stretch from James, one that began last Monday in a season-saving win at Oracle Arena, continued with a blowout of Golden State on Thursday and then, this: 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 93-89 victory in Game 7 that clinched the Cavaliers’ first championship in franchise history.

    “For us to be able to end this, end this drought, our fans deserve it,” James said. “They deserve it. And it was for them.”

    In a series marred by lopsided scores, this was tight early. Both teams played to their strengths: Cleveland was physical, bullying Golden State on the boards (48-39) and in the paint (48-28). James — fresh off back-to-back 41-point games — was assertive, racking up 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the first half. While all eyes were on Stephen Curry, it was Draymond Green who provided a first-half spark, piling up 22 points – and making all five of his 3-point attempts.

    “We didn’t win,” Green said. “So we can look at a stat line and say, ‘Oh, he was great or whatever,’ but we didn’t win. So that really doesn’t matter.”

    Green was the only Warriors player who looked comfortable. Curry scored nine points in the first half, but needed eight shots to get them. Klay Thompson was worse. Curry’s sidekick scored five points on 2-of-9 shooting in the first two quarters. “I didn’t play efficient,” Curry said. “I had some good moments, but didn’t do enough to help my team win.”

    Fortunately for Golden State, James received less help. After scoring 64 points the last two games, Kyrie Irving could muster just nine in the first half. And Kevin Love, desperately in need of a breakout performance, had five points on 1-of-5 shooting.

    The battle between James and Curry, already chippy, continued in Game 7. James blocked a Curry layup in the second quarter, lingering in Curry’s vicinity for a few seconds. Curry turned, bumped into James’ chest and began barking at the Cavs star. Green interceded, and referee Mike Callahan needed to step in and separate them.

    Golden State, which won a record 73 regular-season games, took a seven-point lead into the locker room — a lead Cleveland erased in three minutes. From there, it was a series of runs: a five-point lead for the Warriors; a seven-point lead for the Cavaliers. Irving came alive in the third quarter, pumping in 12 points. Harrison Barnes shook off a rough first half to chip in seven. Golden State took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.

    The back and forth continued in the fourth. Curry knocked down a three over Tristan Thompson; James responded with a pair of turnarounds. Klay Thompson hit a contested shot over J.R. Smith. James hit back with three free throws.

    With less than two minutes to go, Andre Iguodala soared for a transition layup that would have given Golden State a two-point lead. James blocked it, an out-of-nowhere rejection that has become part of his repertoire. Irving drained a three on the other end, and James extended the lead to four with a free throw. A Curry miss – his 13th of the night – sealed it, and the Cavaliers’ bench rushed toward James, Akron’s prodigal son, who delivered the championship he promised when he returned to Cleveland two years ago.

    “I came back for a reason,” James said. “I came back to bring a championship to our city. I knew what I was capable of doing.”(SD-Agencies)

Cavs factbox

    *NBA titles: One (2016)

    *The franchise joined the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team along with the Buffalo Braves and Portland Trail Blazers.

    *Cavaliers were on the wrong end of “The Shot,” the name of a wildly famous series-winning basket hit by Michael Jordan in the 1989 Eastern Conference quarterfinals that is one of the most replayed NBA plays in history.

    *Franchise had a 26-game losing streak during the 2010-11 NBA season that tied the record for longest losing streak in major North American professional sports.

    *The team used the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft to select LeBron James, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.

    *James eventually led the Cavaliers to five consecutive playoff berths, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2007, but he infamously left Cleveland as a free agent in 2010 to sign with the Miami Heat, where he went on to win two championships.

    *James rejoined the Cavaliers in 2014 and brought the team back to relevance after four consecutive losing seasons.

    *Road to the 2016 NBA title: Won Central Division; Beat Detroit 4-0 in Eastern Conference quarterfinals; Beat Atlanta 4-0 in conference semifinals; Beat Toronto 4-2 in conference final; Beat Golden State 4-3 in NBA Finals.

    *James joins Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the fourth player in NBA history to have three titles and four regular-season MVP awards.

    *The win for the Cavs also ends a 52-year championship drought for the city of Cleveland.(SD-Agencies)