Golden State Warriors knock down Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA finals opening thriller
The Golden State Warriors, led by the league’s Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry, held off a big performance by LeBron James to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-100 in overtime to take the opening game of the NBA Finals. In the finals for the first time in 40 years, the Warriors rallied from an early 14-point deficit, absorbed a finals-best 44 points from James and shut down Cleveland in the extra session.
The Golden State Warriors, led by the league’s Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry, held off a big performance by LeBron James to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-100 in overtime to take the opening game of the NBA Finals.
In the finals for the first time in 40 years, the Warriors rallied from an early 14-point deficit, absorbed a finals-best 44 points from James and shut down Cleveland in the extra session on Thursday.
James shot 18 of 38 from the field and had eight rebounds and six assists in 46 minutes. But the four-time MVP missed a long jumper at the end of regulation, and Cleveland missed their first eight shots of overtime.
“It was just a classic five minutes that we needed to get that win,” Curry said of the overtime.
Adding to the Cavs’ frustration, point guard Kyrie Irving limped to the locker room after aggravating his troublesome left leg in overtime. He did not return.
"We were able to scrap tonight," Curry said. "The three-pointer in the corner (by Harrison Barnes) opened the game up and they scored just two points in overtime, that’s huge."