THE GREAT ESCAPE

After blowing a big second-half lead, the Warriors went into OT because of a huge Cavs’ gaffe, then pulled away for good in Game 1

The Warriors began their quest for a third championship in four years by scoring the first nine points of overtime to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-114 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at Oracle Arena. The Cavaliers could have won in regulation, but with 4.7 seconds left and the Warriors leading 107-106, Cleveland’s George Hill made a free throw to tie the score, but missed the second. The Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith got the offensive rebound, but thinking his team had the lead, dribbled out the clock instead of attempting a shot, sending the game into overtime. LeBron James scored 51 points for the Cavaliers. “Everybody is saying and writing that this is going to be easy,’’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s not going to be easy.” Game 2 is Sunday at 5 p.m.

NHAT V. MEYER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Warriors’ Stephen Curry celebrates his 3-point basket that tied the score at the end of the first half on Thursday. There was plenty of drama to come in Game 1of the NBA Finals.