NBA

Stephen Curry and his Warriors teammates are looking forward to his bounce-back effort in Game 6 after he finished an uncharacteristic 0-for-9 from deep in ...

"He just redefined what the point guard position is capable of ... he really is a transcendent talent that we'll never see again." And that's a good thing, because Thursday, hopefully, most of the time, he regresses to the mean, and it's scary when he does." He was thrilled to watch Andrew Wiggins produce a critical double-double for the second straight game, finishing with 26 points and 13 rebounds. And I've responded well when I've had games like that from the 3-point line. That includes a then-NBA-record 13 3-pointers in November 2016 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Now he returns to Boston for Thursday's Game 6, looking to clinch another world championship and start a new 3-pointer streak.

Stephen Curry doesn't have to worry about his legacy when he decides to hang up his sneakers. The Golden State Warriors sharp shooter can take his numerous ...

You want to impact the game that way. Looking forward to that bounce-back," Curry said. And I'll tell you what, everyone in the building, including the fans and those watching, believe the ball is going in when it leaves his fingertips, " Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. But thankfully that's not the only thing that you do out there on the court. Curry ended up with 16 points on 7-22 shooting in Game 5. "Keep shooting, very simple,” Curry said.

Minute-by-minute report: The Warriors have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series after turnovers cost the Celtics dear in San Francisco.

Draymond Green fouls Robert Williams, who hits two free throws but Jordan Poole hits his first basket of the game on the other end. Celtics haven’t hit a single three-pointer in this game so far, which is something they kind of need to do against Golden State. Tatum hits a jumper on this second chance opportunity. Something of a brick contest here, so when Williams gets the ball he just lays one down. Warriors take a timeout and that is probably a good decision on their part. Curry scores on the other end and Boston takes a timeout but this feels like it’s close to closing time. Wiggins, the best player in the game so far, makes an easy layup. All that he’s done with the Warriors is revive his career. Nesmith gets to the line twice, making 3-of-4 free throws and Luke Kornet hits a three that means absolutely nothing. Arguing with the refs has been a problem for Boston all series long. Instead, a possible win ends up being a double-digit loss and they will need to win Thursday’s Game 6 at home just to extend the series. Grant Williams gets called for a foul.

Andrew Wiggins delivered the biggest game yet in his eight-year career with 26 points and 13 rebounds as the Warriors took a 3-2 series lead in the NBA ...

Jaylen Brown was 2 for 11 to start the game and finished with 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting and missed all five of his three-point tries. The Celtics found their own third-quarter magic that has long defined Golden State’s success in the second half. Al Horford hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 6:28 left in the period that made it 58-55 as the Celtics finally found their shooting groove from deep.

The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have updated their injury reports for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night (as of 6:30 Eastern Time).

- SHOULD THE BUCKS MAKE A TRADE? The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 7 to the Boston Celtics, which officially ended their 2021-22 NBA season in the second-round. The Warriors won Game 4 of the series on Friday night in Boston by a score of 107-97. The Warriors are hosting the Celtics at the Chase Center in California.

Despite an off night from superstar guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors moved one win from a title behind a familiar formula.

He shook off his offensive doldrums early with a couple of buckets in the first five minutes. One of Wiggins' signature sequences came midway through the fourth quarter when he forced an air ball from Tatum then took a pass from Curry on the left wing and drove to his right for a floater over Celtics big man Al Horford that extended the Warriors' lead to 11. Wiggins continues to be a revelation for Golden State. For all of the Warriors' appealing offensive style, they feature limited individual shot creation off the dribble, particularly since the departure of Kevin Durant after the 2018-19 season. The first-team All-NBA standout led all scorers with 27 points in his most dominant output of the series. The loss also wasted something the Celtics faithful have been pining for from their superstar -- a Jayson Tatum game. Golden State sold out and relied on its superb help defense, while the Celtics tried to turn the Warriors' shooters into drivers, offering contested shots from long distance when the Warriors settled for them.

As important deadlines loom, find a list of early-entry candidates for the 2022 NBA Draft as well as a list of notable players that have withdrawn from the ...

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The NBA has announced that commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to health and safety protocols. The Golden State Warriors ...

- SHOULD THE BUCKS MAKE A TRADE? The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 7 to the Boston Celtics, which officially ended their 2021-22 NBA season in the second-round. Tweet from NBA Communications: "Commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 5 of the Finals tonight due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols." According to the NBA, the commissioner will not be at the Chase Center in California due to health and safety protocols.

Silver typically attends all finals games. The league did not say if Silver had tested positive for COVID-19 or been deemed a close contact of someone who had, ...

Silver has been the NBA’s commissioner since February 2014. Also unclear is when Silver will be able to resume attending games. Commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 5 of the Finals tonight due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols.

Giddey's Thunder make draft move; Lakers 'paralysed' by LeBron mysterY: Rumour Mill.

“Competing executives and agents do not expect the team to get clarity from James ahead of the draft and free agency,” Pincus reported. That leaves the Lakers in a tricky situation as they plan to get back into championship contention and The Bleacher Report’sPincus warns that may not change anytime soon. The Los Angeles Lakers are another team that could make big moves in the off-season after failing to even qualify for the playoffs. “There are bound to be more if the Suns are indeed ready to move on and Ayton is truly gettable,” Stein added. Ayton was eligible to sign a five-year, $172.5 million extension last summer but Suns ownership reportedly believed he was not in the same tier as the likes of Luka Doncic and Trae Young. The Phoenix Suns bowed out of the playoffs in extraordinary fashion this year and it could spark a big change to their roster this summer.

He won't be in attendance for the pivotal NBA Finals matchup in San Francisco.

Teams that have won Game 5 of the NBA Finals when knotted at two wins apiece have gone on to win the series 73.3% of the time, with a record of 22–8. Although he’s been close to the series thus far, Silver won’t be on hand when Golden State and Boston seek a crucial advantage in the Finals on Monday. The series between the two teams is tied at 2–2 heading into Game 5. Commissioner Adam Silver will not be in attendance for Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals in San Francisco on Monday night due to the NBA’s health & safety protocols, the league announced.

The list of invitees includes: Jabari Smith Jr. - Auburn; Chet Holmgren - Gonzaga; Paolo Banchero - Duke; Jaden Ivey - Purdue; Keegan Murray - Iowa; Shaedon ...

- Mark Williams - Duke - AJ Griffin - Duke - Paolo Banchero - Duke

The Golden State Warriors are one win away from capturing another Larry O'Brien Trophy and it was a memorable night for Andrew Wiggins that led the way in ...

Now one win away from his first title, the Thornhill, Ont. native has even earned some chatter for NBA Finals MVP. It was the sixth time that Wiggins has recorded a double-double and was an impressive follow-up to his 17-point, 16-rebound effort in Game 4. This is just the second time in his career that Wiggins has made it to the post-season and the former first overall pick has received a lot of praise for his play so far.

The series was evenly poised following the Warriors' 10-point road win in game four. Here's how game five unfolded.

Jaylen Brown was 2 for 11 to start the game and finished with 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting. Grant Williams’ trey was Boston’s eighth straight made from outside after missing the initial 12. Jordan Poole knocked down a 33-foot three from the left wing to beat the third-quarter buzzer as the Warriors took a 75-74 lead into the final 12 minutes.

Staggering 132-game Steph first can't stop Golden State as Boston blows big chance — NBA Finals.

and yet you’re down 10 with five minutes left in the ball game,” Mark Jackson said in commentary for ESPN. The Warriors built on the momentum they ended the third quarter with, going on a 10-0 run to open the fourth and did not look back from there, going on with the job to get the win. Boston went from starting the game 0-from-12 to draining eight-straight 3-pointers, while Golden State was 3-for-21 with Curry still yet to hit a 3-pointer with six minutes left in the third. The three-point play was just the start of another Golden State run, with Wiggins adding another four points to push the lead out to 43-32 before Smart hit a 3-pointer for Boston. The Warriors have won the third quarter in every game this series (137-86 combined) and it was safe to say that had to change if the Celtics were any chance in Game 5. A lot of that went back to Wiggins, who remained aggressive attacking the rim as he finished the half with 16 points — a playoff career high at the half — to go with seven rebounds. Wiggins was also leading the way on both ends of the floor, with four early points to go with two blocks and three rebounds while a Thompson triple extended the lead to 17-6. As for Curry, he finished the quarter with four points after shooting 2-for-6 as the Celtics shadowed him closely in an attempt to limit his presence. Green was doing plenty right on the court too, scoring four points in the first four minutes — including a layup and driving dunk — while also assisting for a Curry bucket. After shooting 0-for-12 from downtown to open the game, the Celtics fell into an early hole, with the Warriors taking a 51-39 lead into halftime. Instead, it was Andrew Wiggins who was the unlikely hero, leading the way for the Warriors with 26 points while Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole made some crucial 3-pointers late to halt a Boston run. The Warriors superstar had been lighting it up in the NBA Finals, averaging 34.3 points while shooting 49.1 per cent from beyond the arc in a masterful opening to the series.

As the Boston Celtics search for answers in an effort to stop Stephen Curry in the NBA finals, they know even their best defense won't always be good ...

In the meantime, also watching a lot of different reactions in the crowd and on the bench and stuff like that, too. “But we’ll test it before the game as usual.” “But I think it’s more so just the balance of watching what worked and trying to understand those patterns so that you can repeat that for the next game. Some of the shots that he’s hitting are only shots that he can hit and have been highly contested,” Udoka said. He had a hell of a performance in Game 4, and we have to respond to that.” He can shoot the ball unbelievably,” Boston guard Jaylen Brown said on Sunday. “Even watching it, playing against it and even in the finals, I feel like he’s taking it up a notch a little bit.

Following the 75th anniversary of the NBA last year, the league unveiled an all-new Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy this year after retiring the design ...

Louis Vuitton’s trunks have become highly collectable over the years, with some vintage pieces fetching hundreds of thousands at auction. The winning team receives a unique trophy each year. Tobias Kormind, managing director of Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, 77 Diamonds, offers a breakdown of material and craftsmanship costs. The 24-karat gold-plated sterling silver trophy sits on two discs. Working with Tiffany & Co’s artisans in Cumberland, Rhode Island, Solomon says he collaborated closely with the NBA to design the 25.5 inches tall and 15.5 inches wide design. Following the 75th anniversary of the NBA last year, the league unveiled an all-new Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy this year after retiring the design used since 1977.

The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from lifting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after toppling the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA ...

The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from lifting the Larry O‘Brien Championship Trophy after toppling the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals series on Tuesday AEST. But with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock in the third quarter, Golden State’s Jordan Poole nailed a huge three-pointer to give the Warriors a one-point advantage at the final break. The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from lifting the Larry O‘Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game 5.

The series is evenly poised following the Warriors' 10-point road win in game four. Join us for live updates with tip-off in game five set for 11am AEST.

Jaylen Brown was 2 for 11 to start the game and finished with 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting. Grant Williams’ trey was Boston’s eighth straight made from outside after missing the initial 12. Jordan Poole knocked down a 33-foot three from the left wing to beat the third-quarter buzzer as the Warriors took a 75-74 lead into the final 12 minutes.

Andrew Wiggins delivered the biggest game yet in his eight-year career with 26 points and 13 rebounds, Klay Thompson...

... Otto Porter Jr. started for a second straight game with Kevon Looney coming off the bench. “And then the fact that it’s 25 years ago just makes me feel old, of course.” Jayson Tatum had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost consecutive games for the first time in the postseason. Golden State wound up 9 of 40 from beyond the arc — Wiggins 0 of 6. Al Horford hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:28 left in the period that made it 58-55 as the Celtics finally found their shooting groove from deep. The drive and kick was beautiful, was working, getting guys wide-open shots,” coach Ime Udoka said. Warriors: Gary Payton II had 15 points off the bench and Poole 14. The Celtics were sloppy in stretches, committing 18 turnovers. The Celtics found their own third-quarter magic that has long defined Golden State's success in the second half. If the Celtics can win at home, the series will return to the Bay Area for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday. All five games so far have been decided by 10 or more points. “... The bigger the challenge has been that we’ve thrown in front of him, the bigger he’s responded. One game after his 43-point performance, Curry contributed 16 points and eight assists but was 0 for 9 from 3-point range.

Dave Portnoy sent out a tweet during Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.

- SHOULD THE BUCKS MAKE A TRADE? The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 7 to the Boston Celtics, which officially ended their 2021-22 NBA season in the second-round. This is the sixth time that the Golden State Warriors have been to the Finals in the last eight seasons, while the Boston Celtics are in the Finals for the first time since 2010. Each team is 1-1 so far at home during the series.

Andrew Wiggins had another huge game Monday night, dropping 26 points and 13 rebounds in the Warriors' win over the Celtics.

"We're here," Wiggins said. But with the Warriors, the 27-year-old has flourished. On Monday night, in a pivotal Game 5, Wiggins erupted for a team-high 26 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to lead the Warriors to a 104-94 win over the Celtics at Chase Center.

As the teams warm up, here are the 3-point leaders in this series so far: Stephen Curry (25 3PM on 49% shooting), Jayson Tatum (14 3PM, 45.2%), Klay Thompson ( ...

They have two chances to win the title, the first coming Thursday in Boston and the second (if necessary) on Sunday back in San Francisco. Another miss from 3 for Curry to make him 0-for-9 for the night, but Payton is there for the putback to give him 15 points and a 16-point lead for the Warriors with 1:19 left. Payton is then fouled by Tatum and does a few pushups before rising to his feet to get some cheers from the crowd. Of course, the team they top is the Warriors (from 2016). But Brown strikes back with a driving layup and-one to put Boston back on top by two. back to back 3s from Jayson – locked in after the half Boston is 3-for-15 after missing their first 12 attempts from deep, and they’re actually shooting better than the Warriors at 3-for-17. This has been an important stretch for Boston as it looks like the Warriors had a chance to blow them off the court in the opening quarter. The Warriors have been great defensively and have looked to push at every opportunity they can. The team that wins Game 5 has gone on to win the series 73.3% of the time (22-8). After scoring a combined four points in Games 3 and 4 combined in Boston, Draymond Green has four points in the first five minutes of Game 5. Keep in mind he played a personal series-high 28 minutes off the bench in Game 4.

The former No. 1 overall pick is playing his best basketball on the biggest stage, and people are noticing.

It was an eerily appropriate performance for Wiggins, who followed in the NBA Finals footsteps of his father. — DWade (@DwyaneWade)June 14, 2022 Now, the 27-year-old forward is just one game away from an NBA championship.

Curry finished 0-for-9 from deep but Golden State got the win in Game 5 against Boston.

After a historic start to this series, becoming the first player in history to make at least five 3-pointers in four straight Finals games, Curry finished 0-for-9 from 3 in Game 5, and he doesn't care one bit. It wasn't just Curry who was cold from deep on Monday. The Warriors missed 31 3-pointers as a team (9-for-40), which is tied the record for the second-most misses ever compiled in a Finals win. "Track record says I'll shoot the ball better next game," Curry said. Entering Game 5 of the 2022 Finals, Stephen Curry made at least one 3-pointer in 132 consecutive postseason games (which, incidentally, is every postseason game in which he'd ever played), and he'd made multiple 3-pointers in 38 straight playoff games. I like Steph coming off of a game like this, too. Counting the regular season, Curry had made at least one 3-pointer in 233 consecutive games.

Patrick Beverley and Kyle Kuzma sent out tweets about Draymond Green during Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.

- SHOULD THE BUCKS MAKE A TRADE? The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 7 to the Boston Celtics, which officially ended their 2021-22 NBA season in the second-round. The Warriors and Celtics are currently tied up at 2-2 after the Warriors won Game 4 by a score of 107-97 on Friday night at the TD Garden. On Monday evening, the Golden State Warriors are hosting the Boston Celtics for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.

For the first time in his career, Stephen Curry couldn't get a 3-pointer to fall in an NBA postseason game.

The drought ended a streak of 233 postseason and regular-season games in which Curry had made at least one 3-pointer, a run that lasted 3 1/2 years. He has done so much and elevated this franchise to a place where it was hard to even imagine that he has leeway, and he can have a bad night. “Steph is the best to ever shoot it.

Stephen Curry and his Warriors teammates are looking forward to his bounce-back effort in Game 6 after he finished an uncharacteristic 0-for-9 from deep in ...

"He just redefined what the point guard position is capable of ... he really is a transcendent talent that we'll never see again." "You want to impact the game that way. He was thrilled to watch Andrew Wiggins produce a critical double-double for the second straight game, finishing with 26 points and 13 rebounds. And I've responded well when I've had games like that from the 3-point line. The most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history has averaged 4.4 3-pointers per game and 46% 3-point shooting in the next game after not making a 3, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Now he returns to Boston for Thursday's Game 6, looking to clinch another world championship and start a new 3-pointer streak.

Every game of the NBA Finals is live on Sky Sports: Watch Warriors @ Celtics – Game 6, live on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event, on Thursday night from ...

Boston, on the other hand, looked daunted and suffered a second consecutive defeat for the first time in this postseason. He had 14 points on the night and renaissance man Gary Payton II, who fractured his elbow just a month before the NBA Finals started, was also a big contributor in Game 5 with 15 points and 5 rebounds. As for Wiggins, who has been the Dubs' second-best player in the series by a distance, he had multiple highlight plays. Tatum looked like he was on the cusp of his best performance of the finals for a spell in the third quarter but he undid that work with some poor decisions and on two separate occasions, the 24-year-old missed both free throws after being fouled. Curry, for his part, failed to make a three-pointer in an NBA game for the first time since November 8, 2018. Andrew Wiggins was the star man on this occasion, impressing with his scoring, defense and rebounding in a magnificent all-round display.

It was a rollercoaster to get there, but the Warriors are one win away from an NBA Championship after taking a 3-2 series lead with Monday's 104-94 win at ...

- Andrew Wiggins recorded his second consecutive double-double (17 points and career-high 16 rebounds in Game 4) and sixth of this year’s playoffs with 26 points and a game-high 13 rebounds… It’s the second time in the regular season and playoffs that he’s had back-to-back double-doubles (3/3/20 & 3/5/20)… Tonight marked the first time this season (regular season or playoffs) he has lead the team outright in scoring and rebounding… - The Warriors improved to 11-1 at home this postseason, the league’s best mark… Besides Thompson (5-for-11 3FG) and Poole (3-for-6 3FG), the rest of the Dubs combined to go 1-for-23 from distance. The Celtics outscored the Dubs 35-24 in the period, but the Warriors weathered the storm. The Warriors are now 14-4 in postseason Game 5s dating back to 2015 and 28-23 all-time. But Boston flipped the script, hitting six straight 3-pointers in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game. Armed with a 3-2 series lead, the Warriors will look to close out the series and win their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons when they visit the Celtics for Game 6 on Thursday (6 p.m. PDT, ABC). Brown - 9 Brown - 18 Green - 8 The Dubs would answer with a 10-0 spurt to open the fourth quarter and maintained their advantage from there.

The series is headed back to the East Coast. Here's what went down at the Chase Center during a crucial Game 5.

Jay-Z was in attendance on Monday. He was also at Chase Center for Game 1 of the Finals. -- Youngmisuk Meanwhile, Tatum, who has paid homage to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan throughout the postseason, looked poised to drop 50, er -- was back on his GOAT vibes rocking a T-shirt with Tiger Woods on it. Boston managed to stick around in the game despite a generally awful offensive performance throughout the first half. That includes being outscored by 35 points in the two games back in Boston. Two things of note on the Warriors side: Andre Iguodala got some first quarter minutes that did not go well whatsoever. The Celtics outscored Golden State 35-24 in the third, which allowed Boston to cut what was a 12-point halftime deficit to one. The Warriors shot over 50 percent from the field. After knocking down a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer, Jordan Poole walked to the corner of the court and screamed back at fans as they cheered him on. The early 2000s would be proud of this series. The combined score throughout the first four games was 422-421, with the Warriors holding the ever-so-slight advantage. Wiggs is making the game look easy. What was less obvious: How the latest installment of this fascinating series would play out.

Curry, who was coming off a 43-point performance in Game 4, hadn't gone without a 3-pointer in a game since Nov. 8, 2018.

The drought ended a streak of 233 postseason and regular-season games in which Curry had made at least one 3-pointer, a run that lasted 3 1/2 years. He has done so much and elevated this franchise to a place where it was hard to even imagine that he has leeway, and he can have a bad night. “Steph is the best to ever shoot it.

The former No 1 overall pick has long been accused of failing to fulfill his potential. But he was crucial to the Warriors taking a 3-2 series lead.

In total the Celtics committed a fatal 18 turnovers to the Warriors’ six. But on Monday at Chase Center he was merciless, impassioned, effective and emphatic as the Celtics lost back-to-back games for the first time in this season’s playoffs. The defining image of this game was not Curry sinking a shot from distance but Wiggins bustling to the basket and crashing down a dunk to hand the Warriors a 15-point lead with about two minutes remaining. Not to mention family bragging rights: his father, Mitchell, was on the Houston Rockets team that lost to the Celtics in the 1986 finals. But it was the all-round excellence of Andrew Wiggins that helped disrupt the visitors while ably compensating for Curry’s below-par production. Curry followed his 43-point Game 4 genius-storm with a tepid 16-point effort, the presumptive NBA finals MVP an inconceivable zilch-for-nine from beyond the arc.

As part of the program, 2022 NBA Draft prospects Bennedict Mathurin, E.J. Liddell, Jaden Hardy, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren have dedicated a portion of their ...

“Definitely all three of those guys, but especially LeBron,” Duren says. “I’m excited to learn more from Lauren and the program and grow my knowledge in those areas.” IShares is the largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provider giving investors access to asset classes like stocks and bonds. “Obviously the earlier you start investing the better,” says Simmons, a coach, speaker, host, author and angel investor who went from earning $12,000 a year on Wall Street to $650,000. “I looked at it as an opportunity to get a head start because a lot of guys say they wish they did it early on, so to have the opportunity to do so was very important to me,” he says. As more and more athletes utilize their popularity and platform to expand their reach, influence and financial wellbeing outside the lines, young athletes are looking to get a leg up on the competition as they begin their professional careers in the hopes of joining that elite club.

The result, of course, was the Celtics dropping a pivotal, winnable game—one in which: Tatum finally had it going; Stephen Curry really didn't have it going, ...

That was the case in Game 1, when the duo managed a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, on 18 dimes and 6 miscues. When Tatum and Brown are able to spray the ball around without committing them—like they did in the third period—the Celtics win. He also looked back on the Finals MVP voting in 2015, analyzing whether Curry should have won over Andre Iguodala, who took the award that year. He also had 17 points to go with a game-high 16 boards in Game 4. It was the case in Game 3, when Tatum and Brown combined for 14 assists against just four turnovers. (We mean this as no disrespect, Andrew Wiggins.) Still, what Ime Udoka said after Game 4 holds true: The Celtics easily could have been up 3-1 despite Curry’s scorching showings if they’d merely played offense the way they’re capable of, without turning it over and forcing so much of the action. More to the point, Williams is a plus-31 in the series thus far, meaning Boston has been 31 points better in his 126 minutes of on-court time, despite him playing at less than 100 percent. Aside from the fact that he’s been great in the dunker spot when the Celtics’ offense breaks down the Warriors enough—Williams has shot 16-for-18, or 89% in this series—he’s also been an eraser on defense. In the Finals, Golden State has shot almost 13 percentage points worse than its average from inside of six feet when Williams is nearby, according to the NBA’s tracking data. Golden State got plenty of offense to start, even without Curry scoring much in the early going. Tatum, who shot 1-for-5 in the decisive fourth period, essentially took his ball and went home in that sequence. It was the sort of hounding, get-under-your-skin tactic that Green, in particular, is infamous for.

With less than two weeks until the 2022 NBA Draft we paint a picture of how ACC prospects compare to NBA players past and present.

McGusty is 24 years old and will turn 25 in September. He only shot 28 percent from behind the arc this past season and he likely won’t have the same ball handling responsibilities in the NBA. He’ll need to become a more consistent outside shooter and learn to play without the ball if he wants to have a long career. If Banchero puts his mind to it, he has the potential to be a star in the NBA. Like Herbert Jones, Dereon Seabron is a wiry, athletic wing with versatility on both ends of the floor. The word “potential” is going to be a major theme throughout Butler’s career. However, like Jones, the area he must improve is his perimeter shooting as well as continuing to add strength to his frame. Williams, who led the ACC in assists per game (5.2), has the ability to find his teammates in both the half court and in transition. Like MarShon Brooks, Kameron McGusty is a wiry guard who is a streaky shooter but can create his own shot off the dribble. Overall, Swider has a good foundation for his game while learning under two legendary coaches in Jay Wright at Villanova and Jim Boeheim at Syracuse but how far will he’ll be able to take that will depend on the culture of the organization he ends up in. However, Griffin’s youth is the biggest factor that works in his favor. Like Blake Griffin, Banchero is a fluid athlete who is well coordinated for his size and has demonstrated the ability to be a playmaker in both the half court and in transition. One area for improvement will be his consistency as a perimeter shooter as well as his effort on defense.

Despite Stephen Curry having a rare off-shooting night in Game 5, Andrew Wiggins stepped up to deliver 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Golden State ...

• The Warriors finished with a 17-7 edge in deflections – and ended with a 9-2 advantage in steals. • Jaylen Brown (33.3%), Marcus Smart (35.7%) and Jayson Tatum (37.5%) each held their defensive matchups below 40% shooting in Game 5. • Klay Thompson was the only Warriors starter to make a 3-pointer in Game 5 as he finished 5-of-11 from beyond the arc and scored 71.4% of his points on 3s. In their three losses, Boston posted an eFG% below 49%. In their two wins, their eFG% was 62.9% (Game 1) and 55.6% (Game 3). • Through the first four games of the Finals, Stephen Curry scored 39.8% of Golden State’s points while he was on the court. • Among the starters, Stephen Curry (29.9%) and Jaylen Brown (28.2%) led their respective teams in usage rate. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics at 31.1% but missed all three of his 3-point attempts in his five minutes on the floor. • Boston doubled up Golden State on the offensive glass (8-4) and finished with a 16-7 advantage in second-chance points. Stephen Curry, Gary Payton II and Jaylen Brown each scored 10 points in the paint in Game 5. The Celtics outscored the Warriors by 13.0 points per 100 possessions in Williams’ 30 minutes on the court. • Gary Payton II (15) and Jordan Poole (14) combined to score 29 points off the Warriors bench, while Kevon Looney added two points in 17 foul-plagued minutes. Boston’s Grant Williams (3 points, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3P), Derrick White (1 point, 0-4 FG, 0 3 3P) and Payton Pritchard (0 points, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3P) combined to shoot just 1-of-9 from the field and 0-7 from 3-point range in 42 combined minutes.

On this edition of NBA Soundsystem, NBA.com's Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty will discuss the first five games of the NBA Finals and preview Game 6 in ...