The Golden State Warriors have overcame a 51-point effort from Cleveland Cavaliers' forward LeBron James and dominated in overtime to seal a thrilling 124-114 win in the game one of the NBA finals in Oakland.
In a physical and at times contentious start to the best-of-seven finals series, Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors with 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
Kevin Durant and LeBron James Photo: Photosport
The underdog Cavaliers raced out to an 11-point lead in the first half behind nine-for-11 shooting by James and 12 points from Kevin Love, who returned to the Cavs starting lineup after missing the team's previous game with concussion.
But the Warriors clawed their way back in the second quarter before Curry tied the game at 56 apiece with a buzzer-beater three-pointer to end the half.
The Warriors took a seven-point lead in the third quarter but turnovers and miscues and the continued dominance of James kept the game close in the fourth.
Cavaliers guard George Hill missed one of his two free throws just before period expired, sending the game into an overtime the Warriors dominated with timely baskets by Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
While the Cavaliers missed their first five shots of overtime, the Warriors ran off nine consecutive points, two free throws by Kevin Durant beginning the run.
The outcome was never in doubt after Green bombed in a three-pointer for a 119-109 lead with 1:36 remaining, but that didn't prevent tempers from flaring with 2.6 seconds remaining. Tristan Thompson was ejected at that point, alleged to have swung his arm at Livingston.
James hit 19 of his 32 shots in the first 50-point playoff game of his career, also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists.
Durant backed up Curry's team-high haul with 26 points, Thompson adding 24 for the Warriors, who have now beaten the Cavaliers in game one four straight years in their historic stretch of consecutive duels in finals.
Green just missed a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for Golden State, while Love had a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Cavaliers.
-Reuters
