NBA: Ranking the Finals MVP candidates following Game 4

The NBA Finals are all knotted up at two games apiece with the Boston Celtics heading back to face the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 at Chase Center on Monday. Golden State came back in the second half to defeat Boston 107-97 on Friday night, thanks to a 43-point explosion from Stephen Curry to tie the series in thrilling fashion. With only a few games remaining in the season, here are the five front runners for Finals MVP.

5. Jordan Poole (Warriors): Poole had a shaky Finals debut for the Warriors to this point, averaging 13.0 points per game, which is 5.5 points less than his season average. Although he has struggled in this series, Poole still had some bright spots in Game 2. He finished with 17 points on 6/14 shooting from the field, highlighted by two long distance dagger 3-pointers in the second half, in the 107-88 win in Game 2.

4. Andrew Wiggins (Warriors): He has been arguably the Warriors second best player in the Finals, with averages 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. However, what’s not on the stat sheet is the defensive responsibilities that the Warriors have placed on him. The former #1 overall pick is tasked with guarding the Celtics two best players in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Wiggins also helped Curry grab a Game 4 win with 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

3. Jayson Tatum (Celtics): Tatum had an underwhelming series thus far and is averaging just over 22 points per game. Although his 3-point percentage has been impressive in the Finals, his overall filed goal shooting is down from the regular season. Tatum has struggled to make a significant impact on this series and the Celtics will certainly need their best player to step up if they want to hang their 18th banner in the rafters.

2. Jaylen Brown (Celtics): Brown has been the best player on Boston in the Finals so far. Even though both Celtics forwards are scoring more than 22.0 points per game, Brown's impact on this series is felt by his on-court play. He has consistently made timely baskets and defensive stops to keep his team in contention. Brown finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists on 9/16 shooting from the field in a 116-100 win in Game 3.

1. Stephen Curry (Warriors): Curry has been the best player in the Finals by a mile, averaging 31.5 points while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range and 50% from the field, and his latest performance might be his best one yet. In the narrow Game 4 win, Curry scored 43 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. He finished the night 7/14 from 3-point territory and 14/26 from the field. It was simply the greatest Finals performance of his career.

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Photo Credit: USA Today.