SI's Best Pictures From Golden State's 108-100 victory over Cleveland

Sports Illustrated's best pictures from the Golden State Warriors' 108-100 overtime victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

SI Staff | Jun 5, 2015

SI's Best Pictures From Golden State's 108-100 victory over Cleveland /

With Game 1 of the NBA Finals in the books, here are SI's best pictures from the Golden State Warriors' 108-100 overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Photographers John W. McDonough and Greg Nelson were on the scene for SI, along with a soldout crowd of 19,596 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland.

The Warriors had a chance to win the game in regulation but Kyrie Irving made a quick recovery after Steph Curry dribbled by him and caught up in time to block a would-be layup. (Click here for full-size version of the gallery that appears below.)

GALLERY: SI'S BEST PHOTOS FROM GAME 1 OF THE NBA FINALS

SI's Best Photos from Game 1 of the NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

SI's Best Photos from Game 1: Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors got the better of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, winning 108-100 in overtime. The Game 1 victor of the NBA Finals has a 48-20 series record.

LeBron James scored a finals-best 44 points against Golden State, but saw his team fall in overtime in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Andre Iguodala scored 15 points off the bench for the Warriors, including this dunk.

Kyrie Irving had a great opening game, beating the Warriors off the dribble to score 23 before he left with an injured leg.

Cleveland center Tristan Thompson and Golden State center Andrew Bogut battle for the ball.

Timofey Mozgov had a couple of massive slams against the Warriors.

Steph Curry pressures Kyrie Irving.

Klay Thompson puts up a runner over the outstretched hands of Tristan Thompson.

LeBron James was matched up against Steph Curry on more than one occassion.

Tristan Thompson looses the handle on the ball in a second-half sequence.

Marreese Speights of Golden State keeps the ball away from J.R. Smith. Speights scored eight points in nine minutes and had two rebounds.

LeBron James launches one of his 38 shots.

The Warriors rallied from an early 14-point deficit, much to the delight of their bench and their fans.

Kyrie Irving played solid defense on Steph Curry at times, blocking this shot and another in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Fans show their love for Riley and Steph Curry.

Andrew Bogut attempts to stop LeBron James.

Klay Thompson sizes up Iman Shumpert.

J.R. Smith made 3 of 13 from the field and was the only Cleveland reserve to score in Game 1.

LeBron James gave Golden State fits in regulation, but missed three shots and had two turnovers in overtime.

Draymond Green brings the ball upcourt.

Tristan Thompson played a team-high 47 minutes for Cleveland, scoring two points and pulling down 15 rebounds.

J.R. Smith's hairdo was flashier than his game in the Finals opener.

Kyrie Irving made 10 of 22 shots and contributed six assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Steph Curry does a postgame interview after scoring 26 points with eight assists.

The Warriors treated the home crowd and a national tv audience to a rendition of the National Anthem by 10-year-old San Jose resident Nayah Damasen.

Published Jun 5, 2015

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