Bring out the brooms; Spurs capture fourth title

The experienced trio contributed to San Antonio moving into an exclusive category, responding to a Cleveland run that saw the Cavaliers take their first second-half lead of the series at 61-60 on a LeBron James jumper with 7:55 remaining.

Daniel Gibson followed with a driving layup for a 63-60 edge, concluding a 9-0 stretch to start the fourth quarter.

James and the Cavaliers didn’t intend on going home quietly. Yet, in the end San Antonio made sure the Cavaliers’ season still ended.

Duncan made a running half hook and Ginobili drained a layup before Duncan tipped in Ginobili’s missed free throw for a 66-63 lead with 5:20 on the clock.

After James made one free throw and Anderson Varejao tied the game at 66-66 with a slam, Ginobili lined up a three and the rain-making shot found the bottom of the net for a three-point lead the Spurs never relinquished.

Ginobili made four free throws in the final 10 seconds to cement the victory.

The Spurs won despite shooting just 42.6 percent from the floor and making only 20-of-34 from the foul line. Duncan made just 4-of-15 from the floor, struggling to find his stroke for the second straight game.

It didn’t matter with Parker and Ginobili picking up the slack. Ginobili scored just three points on 0-of-7 shooting in Game 3’s 75-72 victory, but responded by making a trio of three-pointers and 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.

Parker remained the constant with 24 points and seven rebounds, taking home the NBA Finals MVP honor. Duncan had won each of the club’s previous three Finals MVP trophies in 1999, 2003 and 2005.

James needed 30 shots for 24 points along with 10 assists and six rebounds while Drew Gooden donated 11 points and 11 rebounds. James became a new father early Thursday morning, as his girlfriend Savannah Brinson gave birth to the couple’s second son, Bryce Maximus James.

The happy moment may give James solace in his first NBA Finals appearance.