Defending champion Golden State opened the best-of-seven championship series with a 124-114 over-time home victory Thursday after the Cavaliers led in the final seconds.
Referees reversed a charging foul on Warriors forward Kevin Durant on video review into a blocking foul on James in the final minute of regulation time and Cleveland’s J.R. Smith squandered a last shot chance in the fourth quarter apparently unaware the score was level.
‘‘It’s one of the toughest losses I’ve had in my career,’’ James said Saturday. ‘‘Because of everything that kind of went on with the game and the way we played.
‘‘It was a tough 24 hours… for our whole ballclub because we put ourselves in a great position to be successful.’’
James scored 51 points, grabbed eight rebounds and passed off eight assists, his scoring total the most in an NBA Finals game since 1993 and the most ever in a losing cause.
But far from demoralized, James said he is re-energized by the chance to level the series before the scene changes to Cleveland next week in the fourth consecutive finals between the two clubs.
‘‘You should feel excited about the opportunity to be better and be great and move forward,’’ James said. ‘‘I woke up feeling excited about the opportunity that presents itself tomorrow.
‘‘I expect us to come and play with the same grit we had in game one. And we made a lot of mistakes in game one. I expect us to be better.’’
Improvements after defeats have become a James trademark in the playoffs. Four times after producing fewer than 27 points in a post-season loss this year, James has scored 42 or more in the following contest.
But where do you go from 51 points?
‘‘That means he has to score 60 now, right?’’ Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said of James. ‘‘Well, got to score 60 tomorrow then I guess.
‘‘After a loss, it’s tough. But I think he always comes out and leads by example and sets the tone early. I think, offensively, we need him to do that, especially on this floor with their crowd and the way they play. We need him to set the tone early in all the games.’’
Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors with 29 points in the opener, says his team will be more aggressive in keeping James from comfortable situations.
