The Golden State Warriors survived an epic, 44-point performance from LeBron James, surviving 108-100 in overtime against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Stephen Curry finished with 26 points and 8 assists, as the MVP helped the Dubs secure the all-important series opener.
Curry was especially happy with his team’s defensive effort in OT—Golden State held Cleveland scoreless on 10 straight possessions to begin the extra session.
Per the SF Chronicle:
Stephen Curry made four free throws to put his squad ahead 102-98 with 2:30 remaining in overtime. After the sixth consecutive defensive stand, Andre Iguodala found Harrison Barnes in the corner for a three-pointer that appeared to clinch a game that included a Warriors postseason-high 13 lead changes.
The Game 1 winner in the NBA Finals has a 48-20 record , and Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday in Oakland. The Warriors are 47-3 at home this season, three wins shy of the all-time record held by the 1985-86 Celtics and the 1986-87 Celtics. […] Curry is the 31st regular-season MVP to appear in the NBA Finals in the same season as winning the award, with the first 30 going 22-8. He finished with 26 points, eight assists and two three-pointers — making multiple threes in 21 consecutive playoff games to tie Ray Allen’s postseason record.
“It all doesn’t work if we don’t get stops. That’s what fueled all of it,” Curry said. “We just forced them into tough shots that whole overtime. It was the classic five minutes that we needed.”
