Warriors, Cavs earned 4th straight Finals the hard way

Though battered and bruised, both teams braced for another epic showdown

OAKLAND, California - Cleveland and Golden State were stressed and stretched to their limits in the conference finals this time around, leaving little time to recoup and prepare for their latest showdown in the NBA Finals.

"Splintered" is how Stephen Curry described what he feared could happen in the second quarter of Game 7 at Houston, with the Warriors pushed to the brink by the Rockets.