Enjoy Basketball: Boston steal a win in the bay with late run

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Welcome to the Enjoy Basketball Newsletter: NBA Finals Edition™

We'd like to take the beginning of todays newsletter to give a big shoutout to everyone in the community who showed up for yesterdays twitter space to talk NBA finals. It was our biggest turnout yet and we appreciate everyone who showed up whether to ask questions or just listen. Keep a lookout on our Twitter for the next one! Much love as well to our new community moderators Avant'e, Dosunmu Burner and Tipz!

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Boston's historically hot fourth quarter sinks Warriors

Yeah we can't believe that last quarter happened either.

The Warriors headed into the fourth in firm control. They'd just dominated the third quarter with a great display of team-defense and nigh-unstoppable offense. Curry was having a spectacular night including a white hot first quarter where he hit six threes, the most in a single quarter in Finals history. And Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum couldn't get anything going, finishing with just 12 points on 3-for-17 shooting.

So with everything going according to plan heading into the fourth quarter, it came as a total shock when the wheels fell off for the C's down the stretch. Boston's early-quarter run seemed to have been halted, with a Steph Curry jumper putting Golden State up three with six minutes remaining. But it would be the only points they scored until a garbage time Klay Thompson bucket with just a minute left, as the Boston Celtics went on a scorching 17-0 run.

The Celtics offense was simply unstoppable. It was the most points scored and highest field goal percentage by a team in the fourth quarter of the NBA finals since at least 2015 (StatMuse quarter data doesn't go back farther than that). Leading the charge, Al Horford, who looked every bit the part of a man who was hungry for his first bit of Finals action after 15 years in the league. Oh and another record for you, his six made three pointers were the most in a NBA finals debut in history.

That's not to say he didn't have help. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White chipped in with 24 and 21 points respectively while Jayson Tatum still managed to impact the game with 13 assists despite the off shooting night.

Boston will have to be elated to grab a victory in the Bay, and are sure to have all the confidence in the world heading into game two as they look to take firm control of the series. For Golden State, you have to focus on the strong performance through the first three quarters and hope for some better performances from guys like Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole.

Number to Remember: 24

The number of points the Celtics outscored the Warriors by in the pivotal fourth quarter. They set an NBA finals record for largest point differential in a fourth quarter, the first time any team has had a point differential over 20 since game three of the 2013 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.

Nike CEO Phil Knight makes push to purchase Trail Blazers

Blazers fans rejoice! A savior is on the horizon, and he's wearing all Nike products.

Nike CEO Phil Knight, along with Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky, are leading a group looking to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers from Jody Allen, wife of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The groups first offer, reported at two billion dollars, was rejected, but hope remains that Knight and Co. will continue to push for a deal. Adam Silver made it clear that Allen "has to sell the team at some point in the future" according to Woj, so it seems like a matter of when not if.

The sale could have major ramifications for the Blazers. Both Knight and Smolinisky have not been afraid to spend money for success in other business ventures, which is a notable switch from Allens philosophy. She's overseen a number of recent salary-cutting moves during her tenure as owner.

And if Oregon football is anything to attest to, the strong connections to Nike will give Portland some of the best and most unique jerseys in the league. Let's just hope Knight doesn't care too much about Dames Adidas sponsorship.

Quin Snyder's future with the Jazz growing tenuous

We don't envy you Jazz fans. Nobody likes a summer of uncertainty, especially after a serious period of success (even if most of it was in the regular season). One of Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell might be gone, the roster around them is only getting older, and it looks like their head coach of nearly a decade might be on the way out.

Quin Snyder has piloted the Jazz to the playoffs each of the last six seasons, including three second round appearances, but his teams just haven't been able to get over the hump in a Western Conference that has often been loaded with talented squads. Utah wants him back, and even offered to extend his current contract, but it seems like Snyder hasn't made up his mind just yet.

LeBron becomes first active NBA player to become a billionaire

LeBron James proved he knows how to earn money on and off the court after becoming the first active NBA player to join the billionaire club.

As the face of the league, James has made a fortune in salary, shoe sales and sponsorships over the years. But it's been his savvy business investments that have pushed LeBron into this exclusive group. The Kings investments in companies like Fenway Sports Group, Blaze Pizza , and Lobos 1707 have raked in tens of millions of dollars for the NBA legend. And props to him for manifesting the whole thing back in 2014.

Bron will have to settle for "first active NBA billionaire" though because of a certain former Chicago Bull, who reached the ten figure mark after retiring. Of course it's Michael Jordan, the man is so dedicated to being the best he's extending the GOAT debate to the financial side as well.

1 Trade for Every Team Not in the 2022 NBA Finals - Dan Favale (Bleacher Report)

The Celtics are in the NBA Finals. Their best story worked at a cemetery a year ago - Jay King (The Athletic)

Wilt. Shaq. LeBron. Steph Curry? There's a New Definition of Dominance. - Howard Beck (Sports Illustrated)

The WNBA Has Too Few Spots for Too Many Talented Players - Kurt Streeter (New York Times)

Boston Celtics @ Golden State Warriors - 8:00 PM EST (6/5)

As awe-inspiring as Boston's fourth quarter was, it's hard to argue that it was a feat that's repeatable. Shooting 51% from deep as a team just isn't going to happen every game. And despite the loss, there was a lot to like from the Warriors for the vast majority of the game. Curry made his presence felt, and they did a great job locking up Tatum. We think a bit less shooting luck for Boston and a bit more from Draymond Green and Jordan Poole will see the Dubs take game two.

That's all from us today at Enjoy Basketball! Make sure to go out and end this week like the Celtics ended game one.

-Spencer Poole

Last Trivia Answer: The answer to Wednesdays trivia question is Rajon Rondo! Rondo dropped 44 points on just 24 shots in game two of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. But it didn't end up being enough to take down LeBron and the Heatles, who won the game in overtime 115-111.

Trivia Question: Last night Jonathan Kuminga became the third-youngest player in NBA history to appear in a finals game at just 19 years-239 days old. But this former second-overall pick ranks first on that list at just 18 years-359 days old. Who is it?