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*Photo via NBAtv
Warriors Player of the Game:
Steph Curry - 37 points, 8 rebounds. 7 three pointers.
1. The MVP has returned!
During the first four games of the NBA Finals, Steph Curry struggled. He was being contained by Matthew Dellavedova and was held to a low shooting percentage. He was careless with the ball and was playing timid. The media was all over him and at times Curry even looked frustrated and winded, but not tonight. Curry erupted, scoring 37 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. He scored 17 points in the game’s deciding quarter and hit seven three pointers. Steph Curry finally showed why he deserved the MVP trophy.
2. When the Warriors hit threes they are unbeatable.
The Golden State Warriors are close to unbeatable when they hit over 10 threes. Tonight they converted on 12 of them. They shot 46 percent from three-point range. They hit four critical threes in the fourth quarter which turned the game around in their favor. One by Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and two by the MVP himself, Steph Curry. If the Warriors continue to shoot that many threes and make them at such a high percentage, they will win on Tuesday and capture the NBA championship.
3.The Warriors are underrated defensively.
Much has been said about the the Cavs’ defense on the Warriors, but the Warriors deserve mention of the defense they played tonight. The Warriors held the Cavs to 39 percent shooting from the field. The Warriors controlled the offensive and defensive boards by out-rebounding the Cavs 43-37. They played exceptional defense on LeBron as he missed three layups in the fourth quarter.
4. The supporting cast of the Warriors showed up.
Andre Iguodala has been playing lights out during these NBA Finals and if the Warriors win, he may be the NBA Finals MVP, however, it was the other Warriors players that stepped up in Game 5. Leandro Barbosa scored 13 points for the Warriors and led the second unit. He did a good job driving, scoring and keeping the Warriors on top of the Cavs. Harrison Barnes also played well as he made some critical plays down the stretch in the fourth quarter. The second unit of the Warriors are a big reason they came away with the win.
5. Steve Kerr out-coached David Blatt.
Ever since Kerr changed the starting lineup, the Warriors have been playing well and the Cavs have been confused. The Warriors have evened it up on the rebounds and the small lineup has helped them get out in transition. Draymond Green has been playing exceptionally well, and Barnes has seemed to of found a rhythm. Blatt has not been able to answer.Tonight, Timothy Mozgov played 9 minutes. This is a telling stat because Mozgov has been playing well so far in these finals. He's been great on the boards and scored 28 points just one game ago. Blatt needs to find an answer in order for the Cleveland Cavaliers to force Game 7.
Game 6 is on Tuesday on ABC.