Buddy Hield gave the Warriors a 102-101 lead on a sidestep 3-pointer with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter, the hosts’ first lead in six minutes. Butler pushed it to a three-point advantage with a tough layup over two defenders a minute later.

In fairness to Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, this was the farthest thing from a victory lap. He was standing still, for starters, playing the role of head cheerleader in the corner of the Toyota Center court where the players whose massive paychecks he covers were practically skipping back to the visitors’ locker room to celebrate their Game 7 finish over the Houston Rockets.