Warriors Defeat Cavaliers, 124-114, in Game 1 OT Thriller
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 124-114, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena on Thursday.
In a game that Golden State was heavily favored, it took them an extra session to capture their win. In fact, there were 17 ties and 15 lead changes in total, as neither team led by more than 11 points. Golden State's largest lead actually came in the overtime, as the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers, 17-7, in the extra session. Ball movement was the difference for Golden State, as they out-assisted Cleveland, 31-18. Offensive rebounding is what kept the Cavaliers in the game, as they won that battle, 18-4. The Warriors ended up shooting 51 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 95 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Cavaliers to 45 percent from the field, 27 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. Defense was also huge for Golden State, as they won the turnover differential, 11-7 and more than doubled up Cleveland in blocks (7-3) and steals (10-5) combined.
The Cavaliers (0-1) got a career playoff-high 51 points out of LeBron James, as he added eight rebounds and eight assists to his tally on 19-of-32 from the field. Kevin Love finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. J.R. Smith was the only other Cavalier in double figures, as he accrued 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Larry Nance Jr. was a huge spark off the bench, providing nine points and 11 boards. Tristan Thompson was ejected in the final seconds and may be facing a suspension for shoving the basketball into Draymond Green's face.
The Warriors (1-0) were led by Stephen Curry, as he tallied 29 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant totaled 26 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Klay Thompson dropped 24 points. Draymond Green accumulated 13 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and three blocks.
Game 1 will be on Sunday back in Oakland.
In a game that Golden State was heavily favored, it took them an extra session to capture their win. In fact, there were 17 ties and 15 lead changes in total, as neither team led by more than 11 points. Golden State's largest lead actually came in the overtime, as the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers, 17-7, in the extra session. Ball movement was the difference for Golden State, as they out-assisted Cleveland, 31-18. Offensive rebounding is what kept the Cavaliers in the game, as they won that battle, 18-4. The Warriors ended up shooting 51 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 95 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Cavaliers to 45 percent from the field, 27 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. Defense was also huge for Golden State, as they won the turnover differential, 11-7 and more than doubled up Cleveland in blocks (7-3) and steals (10-5) combined.
The Cavaliers (0-1) got a career playoff-high 51 points out of LeBron James, as he added eight rebounds and eight assists to his tally on 19-of-32 from the field. Kevin Love finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. J.R. Smith was the only other Cavalier in double figures, as he accrued 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Larry Nance Jr. was a huge spark off the bench, providing nine points and 11 boards. Tristan Thompson was ejected in the final seconds and may be facing a suspension for shoving the basketball into Draymond Green's face.
The Warriors (1-0) were led by Stephen Curry, as he tallied 29 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant totaled 26 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Klay Thompson dropped 24 points. Draymond Green accumulated 13 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and three blocks.
Game 1 will be on Sunday back in Oakland.