Warriors top Cavs in OT in Game 1 of NBA Finals
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Stephen Curry scored 26 points, including the first four of overtime, and the Golden State Warriors overcame LeBron James' 44 points for a 108-100 victory Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The Warriors struggled at the beginning but dominated in overtime, scoring the first 10 points of the extra period, pitching a shutout until James' meaningless basket with under 10 seconds to go.
James had his highest point total ever in the finals, but missed a jumper with about 3 seconds left in regulation that could've won it. Iman Shumpert just missed a follow-up attempt from near the sideline on a long rebound at the buzzer, and it was all Warriors from there.
"At the end of the day, we gave ourselves a chance," James said. "I missed a tough one. But we had so many opportunities to win this game, but we didn't."
Kyrie Irving had 23 points for the Cavs but limped off the court with about 2 minutes left in OT after aggravating his troublesome left knee. He didn't return.
Game 2 is here in Oracle Arena Sunday night.
The Warriors survived "a spectacular onslaught" from James and "took control in overtime and played like the best team in basketball when they needed to the most," writes CBSSports.com NBA Insider Ken Berger.
"And if Game 1 was any indication, it's going to be a wild ride in the NBA Finals," Berger says.
It was "this year's MVP, Stephen Curry, vs. James, the four-time MVP," Berger observes.
"And the two superstars' fingerprints were all over a tight, spectacular opening salvo in this series."
James shot 18 of 38 from the field and had eight rebounds and six assists in 46 minutes, but it wasn't enough.
"We've got to do more around him," Cavs coach David Blatt said.