OAKLAND, Calif. _ The fourth installment started out as compelling as the first three.
The rest of the league might be tired of the Warriors and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Yet, the Warriors and Cavaliers produced enough drama to keep the storylines fresh.
The Warriors finished with a 124-114 Game 1 overtime victory over Cleveland, but that result did not become obvious until late in the game. The Warriors opened overtime with a 10-2 run, while Cleveland missed three of its last four shots.
Warriors forward Kevin Durant made a pair of foul shots. Warriors guard Klay Thompson sank a 3-pointer. Warriors guard Shaun Livingston converted on a 3-point play and finished with a dunk. Then, Warriors forward Draymond Green made a 3-pointer for a 119-109 cushion with 1:39 left in overtime.
More theatrics happened just before the end of the game. Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson was ejected with 2.6 seconds remaining after being charged with a Flagrant Foul 2.
The game would not have gone to overtime had Cavaliers forward J.R. Smith realized the score. After Cavaliers guard George Hill missed the second of two free throws with the game tied at 107 with 4.7 seconds left, Smith grabbed the rebound. Instead of converting on a putback, Smith tried to run out the clock as if the Cavaliers had a lead. Smith cut back toward the perimeter before passing the ball to Hill as time expired.
