CBS Sports HQ: Golden State Warriors advance to the NBA Finals

The Golden State Warriors are making their sixth trip in eight years to the NBA Finals after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in last night’s game five.

Warriors guard Klay Thompson guided his team a path to the finals with a 32 point performance, whilst unsung hero Kevon Looney grabbed an impressive 18 rebounds in helping out. 

The Warriors continued their impressive home form this NBA postseason, extending their unbeaten run at home to 9-0. 

Stephen Curry was awarded with the inaugural ‘Magic Johnson’ western conference finals MVP after his impressive showing in this series against the Mavericks. 

Tom Doyle joined CBS Sports HQ to breakdown how the Warriors were able to secure the victory and advance to the NBA Finals.

“Usually it’s ‘game six’ Klay, not game five Klay but he got it done tonight,” remarked Doyle. 

“But it wasn’t just him, let me give you two guys who had massive performances; Kevon Looney and Draymond Green combined, 27 points, 24 rebounds and 13 assists. Wiggins was making shots, Jordan Poole had a fantastic stretch in the first half. It just seemed like the Mavericks just lacked energy on the defensive end.”

The Warriors await to see who they will face in the finals, with game one commencing next Thursday, between the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat

The Celtics have the chance to book themselves into the finals tonight with a 3-2 lead heading into tonight’s game against the Heat in front of their home crowd. 

“I think if they (Warriors) play Boston that’s going to be a pretty amazing series, because I’ve said all postseason long Boston’s the most balanced team in the NBA… I might have to be checking my notes because what I saw tonight, that Warriors team is pretty balanced,” commented Doyle. 

Caesars Sportsbook has the Warriors as a -140 favourite to win this year’s NBA Championship, with the Celtics priced at +160 and the Heat a long outsider at +2500.