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Oakland (United States) (AFP) - Sore, tired and hurting players have enjoyed the longest-ever break before the NBA Finals, but it's time to play through the pain again because there's a championship at stake.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, trying to end a 51-year title drought for their supremacy-starved city, face the Golden State Warriors, who have not won a crown in 40 years, in the best-of-seven series starting Thursday.
Each team has withstood the rigors of an 82-game season and three playoff rounds to put themselves on the brink of a long-sought prize, but both are bruised and battered as a result even with an eight-day break.