Although Golden State just appeared in their first NBA Finals game in 40 years, they sure didn’t play like it.
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 47 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, three others scored in double figures and a determined Golden State team banded together to fight off LeBron’s 44-point barrage to take Game One in Oakland 108-100. While Cleveland managed to keep the game interesting for four quarters, overtime may have cost them the services of Kyrie Irving, who hobbled off the floor with an apparent knee injury.
Those who witnessed Cleveland’s hot first quarter start wondered if Golden State was ready for the East’s best. Behind 29-19 entering the second quarter, Golden State managed to pick up momentum to enter halftime down 51-48 thanks to solid play from Andre Iguodala and timely shooting from Thompson and Curry.
Back and forth these two dynamic teams went, but Golden State was too resilient behind 19,596 pumped fans.
Cleveland, seeking their first NBA Finals win in history, managed to send the game into overtime thanks to an Iman Shumpert hail mary after James missed a difficult shot over Iguodala — one he made with Miami over Iguodala two years prior. Curry then opened OT with four free throws and Harrison Barnes nailed a 3-point shot near the Cavs’ bench to send the sellout crowd into a screaming frenzy. Golden State would never trail again.
The stat line read as close as the final score, with Golden State holding slight advantages in rebounding (48-45), field goal percentage (44.3 percent-41.5 percent) and assists (24-19). Golden State made 90.9 percent of shots behind the charity stripe while Cleveland hit 68.4 percent of theirs, which could be problematic for Cleveland down the stretch. Irving managed 23 points on 10-22 shooting while Timofey Mosgov added 16 points and seven boards for Cleveland.
Cavs coach Steve Kerr is hopeful Irving will play the remaining NBA Finals games, although his status is currently unknown pending an MRI. Cleveland fans should pray for a speedy recovery since Golden State is 47-3 at home this season, and with Kevin Love still out, the Cavs would turn into an easy to contain one-dimensional team.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. EST in Oakland.
(6:03 pm: An MRI revealed Kyrie Irving has suffered a fractured knee cap, requiring season-ending surgery).
