If Game 1 was a taste of things to come, then this NBA Finals is going to be one to remember for a long time.
The Golden State Warriors survived 44 points from LeBron James to edge the Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-100, in overtime at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Thursday night. Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors with 26 points and eight assists. Here's Game 1 of the NBA Finals by the numbers.
LeBron James scored 44 points, but it took him a whopping 38 shot attempts to get there. Sheesh!
The Cavaliers and Warriors each scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, which paved the way for overtime.
In the extra period, it was all Dub Nation as Cleveland missed its first 8 shots and the Warriors outscored the Cavs, 10-2.
The closely contested game featured 13 lead changes and 11 ties.
The teams' shooting percentages were close — the Warriors shot 44.3 percent from the field and the Cavs 41.5 percent.
Golden State narrowly edged Cleveland in rebounding (48-45) and assists (24-19).
But it wasn't even close when it came to production off the bench. The Warriors' reserves killed the Cavs' bench players, 34-9.
Andre Iguodala led the Warriors' bench with 15 points, while J.R. Smith accounted for all 9 of the Cavs reserves' production.
The Warriors are an unbelievable 47-3 this year at home.
Winners of Game 1 of the NBA Finals have a 48-20 series record.
This bodes well for Golden State. Will King James and the Cavs be able to knot the series at 1-1? We'll find out during Game 2 on Sunday night.
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