Golden State Warriors hold James at bay as they take lead after game one of NBA Finals against Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James scored a play-off career-high 51 points in a losing cause as the Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series, which continues on Sunday in Oakland.

Golden State’s Klay Thompson added 24 points and Draymond Green contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and three blocked shots.

Green taunted Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson to spark a shoving incident in the final seconds of overtime that figures to carry over in the emotional fourth consecutive finals between the Cavaliers and Warriors.

Golden State won the 2015 and 2017 crowns. The Cavs took the 2016 title.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James scored seven points in a 10-2 run that gave Cleveland a 104-102 lead with 50.8 seconds remaining – a layup, dunk and 3-point play by James plus a Love 3-pointer.

Durant was whistled for a charging call but it was overturned on video review into a blocking foul on James and Durant equalised with two free throws at 104-104.

James answered inside but Curry drove for a lay-up, got fouled by Love and sank the free throw for a 107-106 Golden State lead with 23.5 seconds in regulation time.