Game 5 came and went in the 2022 NBA Playoffs and it resulted in a Golden State Warriors win. A standout performance by Andrew Wiggins was the big surprise who had 26 points and 13 rebounds, leading his team in both categories. Wiggins was a surprise add to this team a couple of years ago, and was thought to just be a trade piece, but he has blossomed these playoffs into an essential piece to this Warriors team who are now one game away from their 4th Championship in 8 years.
I don’t want to only ever talk about Steph Curry on this page, and I will keep this short, but he remained one of the key stories. Steph broke his insane streak of games with a 3, shooting 0-9 from beyond the arc. He still had 16 points and 8 assists, and was clearly helping to control the pace of the game and lead the team, but he really did not shoot how everyone expected. I am hoping he recovers and has an insane game 6.
Boston were a disappointment….to those who aren’t Warriors fans. No one in that team just seized the opportunity to take control of that game and lead the team to a win. They had a hell of a third quarter, but then let Jordan Poole hit a long 3 on the buzzer giving the Warriors a one point lead going into the fourth. Tatum missed key free throws, there was no contribution from the role players like Al Horford or Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown just didn’t perform to the same level he started this series. They will hope to be spurred on by that insane crowd going back home for game 6.
Prediction for game 6 – my heart says Warriors but my head really does say the Celtics. At the end of the day, I think Steph is going to bounce back and have an absolute stormer. I expect a 3 to be made in the first two minutes, three 3s in the first quarter, and at least 15 in the first half. I would be fine with a slow third quarter but only if he dominates the fourth. I am desperate for Steph to have a game that wins the series which no one can critique in a negative way. I want it to be a standout performance for the ages….let’s see if it happens! Warriors win 112-108 and lift the Larry O’Brien.
Let’s go Dubs!!!