In a repeat of the 2015 showpiece, it was the Warriors who took charge of the NBA Finals – with the reigning champions leading 52-43 at half-time at Oracle Arena.
Cleveland rallied in the third period to briefly lead before Golden State, led by the impressive Livingston, turned the screw.
The Warriors clocked up 15 unanswered points between the end of the third period and the start of the fourth to help secure a 1-0 lead in the seven-game series, which resumes on Sunday.
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry managed just 11 points on a quiet evening for the MVP, while Cleveland’s talisman LeBron James notched 23 points in vain.
