History shows that the winner of Game 1 of the NBA Finals goes on to win the championship 71 percent of the time.
That’s why it was imperative for the Cleveland Cavaliers to come in with a business-like approach Thursday. They did for much of the game, but a woeful overtime performance after four riveting quarters allowed the Golden State Warriors to grab Game 1, 108-100, at Oracle Arena.
With the final possession of regulation, LeBron James was forced into a difficult fadeaway 3-pointer by Andre Iguodala. He missed but Iman Shumpert gathered the loose ball and his baseline putback from 15 feet bounced just short off the rim to send the game to an extra five-minute period.
The Cavs didn’t score through the first four minutes, and eventually two free throws by Stephen Curry (26 points, eight assists) 1:43 into the OT finally broke the tie. As the Cavs floundered — they missed 12 straight shots over a nearly six-minute stretch late in the fourth and into OT — the Warriors earned seven free throws and a three from Harrison Barnes to take a 1-0 lead in the Finals.
The Cavaliers started off right, holding the Warriors to 29 percent from the field in the opening quarter to go up 14 points.
James (44 points on 18-of-38 shooting) brought it from the jump. He wasn’t looking to set guys up or interested in letting the game come to him. He was taking it. He wore the Warriors down in the low post. He added seven rebounds and six assists.
The fans in yellow Warriors attire were on the edge of their seats all night, waiting for the deciding burst from their team, but until the final five minutes, the Cavaliers fought off any runs by the home team.
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