NBA

Winning Game 5 is no guarantee

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 19, 2006

MIAMI - Since the NBA went to a 2-3-2 format for the finals in 1985, there had been seven previous splits after four games. Of those, the Game 5 winner eventually won the title five times.

Heat coach Pat Riley was courtside for the two exceptions.

In 1994, his New York Knicks won Game 5 against Houston only to lose in seven games. And in 1988, his Lakers lost Game 5 to fall behind the Pistons 3-2 but recovered to win Game 7 and claim a repeat championship.

IN AND OUT OF DRAFT: The deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft was 5 p.m. Sunday. Staying in were UCLA guard Jordan Farmar and Texas guard Daniel Gibson. Withdrawing to go back to school were UCLA's Arron Afflalo, Colorado guard Richard Roby and Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray.

WNBA: Mwadi Mabika tied a WNBA record with seven 3-pointers and finished with 27 points as host Los Angeles beat Sacramento 80-69. ... Seimone Augustus scored 32 as host Minnesota beat Phoenix 94-82. ... Tamika Whitmore scored a career-high 29 as host Indiana beat Charlotte 92-85 in overtime.

[Last modified June 19, 2006, 02:24:02]