Another enormous performance from LeBron James wasn't enough to carry the Cavaliers to an upset win over the Warriors in game one of the NBA Finals on Friday (NZ time).
The Cavaliers looked primed for a shock victory, with an opportunity for George Hill to put them ahead by a point with just 4.6 seconds remaining.
Hill missed his second free throw attempt to leave the scores tied, but Cavs guard JR Smith managed to grab the rebound, only to dribble the ball away from the hoop in the mistaken belief his team were actually ahead.
The ensuing overtime period saw the Warriors ride their rabid home crowd and some Steph Curry mastery to clinch a 124-114 and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
James finished with an eye-popping line of 51 points, eight rebounds and eight assists on 19-32 shooting, while Kevin Love retuned from his concussion-enforced absence to put up 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Curry was the best of the Warriors with 29 points to go with nine assists, with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson adding 26 and 24 assists.
Game two takes place in Oakland on Monday.
Newshub.
