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          NBA Finals 2022: Best sights and sounds from Warriors-Celtics Game 6

          • ESPN
          Jun 17, 2022, 04:38 AM

          The NBA Finals ended Thursday as the Golden State Warriors got another win at TD Garden in Boston against the Celtics. Finals MVP Stephen Curry (34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds) put on a show as he led the Dubs to a convincing 103-90 victory.

          Golden State had previously struggled to close out series on the road this postseason. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Warriors were 0-3 when they had a chance to end a series away from Chase Center in San Francisco entering the Finals but that wasn't the case when it mattered most.

          Championship experience and history favored the Warriors. Teams leading 3-2 heading into Game 6 had won the series 81% of the time (39 of 48 times) entering Thursday's matchup.

          The Warriors' win marks their fourth championship in an eight-season span. No other team has achieved the feat since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls (1991 to 1998).

          The fans at TD Garden brought the energy for Games 3 and 4, so it was no surprise they were particularly raucous for the win-or-go-home Game 6.

          Here are some of the best scenes from Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

          Too little, too late

          The Celtics managed to erase their series long third quarter issues for a second straight game. And, as a result, they gave themselves an opening in the fourth quarter to at least make the game interesting.

          That's partly because of Al Horford, who was up to 16 points and 11 rebounds and had been flying around -- particularly in the second half. The 35-year-old big man had played in more playoff games than anyone in NBA history without appearing in the NBA Finals before reaching them this year, and the emotion he's shown throughout the playoffs was on display Thursday night, including a massive roar after a blocked shot late in the third quarter.

          Still, it proved to be a case of too little, too late after that ugly first half for Boston. -- Tim Bontemps

          Steph wants more bling

          Golden State's Curry hit a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter, pointed to his ring finger as he ran back and said, "put a ring on it." -- Kendra Andrews

          Everything's coming up golden

          To say it was condition gold is an understatement.

          Golden State led 54-39 at halftime, having outscored Boston 52-25 over the final 20 minutes of the first half. Not surprisingly, an ugly box score told the tale for Boston.

          A 3-for-14 performance from 3-point range. A total of 12 turnovers. Three fouls each on Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart. Only 2 bench points, created off 1-for-9 shooting from Derrick White, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard, who were being outscored 15-2 by Golden State's reserves.

          Add it all up, and needless to say a whole lot needed to change in the second half for Boston to keep its season alive.

          Oh, and don't forget: For the first four games of this series, Boston was dominated in the third quarter. If that happened again here, this season was over. -- Bontemps

          So icy

          It was a busy day for Gucci Mane. Not only did the rapper announce he was releasing an album at midnight, he decided to take in some championship basketball at TD Garden before the drop. Despite previously repping for his hometown Atlanta Hawks -- he even proposed to his wife, Keyshia Ka'Oir, during Kiss Cam at a Hawks game in 2016 -- Gucci was decked out in Celtics green.

          One quarter down

          Things couldn't have gone better for the Celtics over the first few minutes of Game 6. Boston jumped out to a 14-2 lead over the first four minutes, was moving the ball great and was hounding Golden State defensively.

          Then, it all fell apart.

          As they have so many times in this series, the Celtics failed to press their advantage. After having some early success with post-ups setting up open shots, Boston's offense dried up. The turnovers started flowing, as they often have. And Golden State ripped off a 25-8 run to close the quarter and take a 27-22 lead after one.

          Most importantly? After having TD Garden on fire to open the game, all of the energy was sucked out of the building early in the second. -- Bontemps

          Reppin' for the Dubs

          Rapper G-Eazy, who is from the Bay Area, was present at the TD Garden to watch the Warriors try to secure another championship.

          Jesus Shuttlesworth in the building

          After the Celtics took a 12-2 lead early in the first quarter, former Celtic Ray Allen was shown on the video board during a timeout and was given a loud ovation. Allen, a member of Boston's 2008 title team, had famously fallen out with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce after leaving to join the Miami Heat in 2012, but it seems like time has healed old wounds. -- Adam Reisinger

          Support from your son

          Jayson Tatum's son Deuce was visibly hyped after his father hit a 3-pointer during the first quarter.

          Bleed green (and white)

          Fans in the lower section of TD Garden found shirts at their seats, including select ones with white shirts that spelled out "BOS", "617", and "18" across the lower bowl. -- Alisha Miller

          Tatum takes the court

          With Game 6 in Boston and the Celtics having not lost three straight games since late December, folks were revved up to see a battle on the court tonight. As Celtics star Tatum entered the court for pregame warm-ups, fans crowded the lower seats and chanted, "JT! JT! JT!" -- Alisha Miller

          All about 18

          Nothing said we came to force a Game 7 like a custom ice sculpture, right? Right.

          The Celtics went full send on their TD Garden decor ahead of Thursday night's action with this sculpture which depicted the Boston mascot, logo and the message "It's all about 18."

          Know your audience

          About 75 minutes before Game 6, fans gave a big ovation when Al Horford made his way onto the court for Celtics' warm-ups. About a minute later, fans booed loudly as Steph Curry made his way onto the court for his warm-up.

          One Boston fan in a white Paul Pierce jersey also shouted at Andre Iguodala during his warm-up. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

          Poole Party

          Jordan Poole was feeling it from deep during pregame warm-ups, sinking 17 straight 3-pointers.

          Dancing to the music

          The Warriors continued their road tradition of playing music during their shootaround or pregame routine from artists that originate from the city they're playing in. So for the second time in these playoffs, Golden State's shootaround playlist included Boston's own New Edition and group members who famously went solo.

          So when the media was allowed into shootaround on Thursday morning, Curry was shooting to the smooth vocals of Johnny Gill and his classic slow jam "My, My, My." They did not, however, go with Gill's 18-minute live version of "My, My, My" which is incredible (look it up!)

          Warning to the Celtics: During the previous Warriors shootaround here in Boston for Game 4, Curry shot to New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain." And of course, he went on to explode for 43 points and 10 rebounds later that night.

          After Steph shot to "My, My, My," the speakers blared New Edition's most famous member, Bobby Brown, and his hit "My Prerogative." Fittingly, Draymond Green -- public enemy No. 1 in Boston -- started grooving to it, especially when the lyrics, "They say I'm crazy ... I really don't care" came on. -- Youngmisuk

          Game 6 Klay?

          Klay Thompson has made a name for himself in playoff Game 6s throughout his career. Teammate Poole showed support for another outstanding performance (hopefully) by rocking a 2011 NBA draft shirt featuring Thompson.

          Eyes on a prize

          Curry knows a good championship prize when he sees one, as he inspected the U.S. Open trophy during Wednesday's practice ahead of Game 6.