5 things you need to know Tuesday
1. Warriors could clinch first NBA title in 40 years
The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of winning the franchise's first championship title since 1975, after Stephen Curry finally looked like an MVP-caliber talent again in Game 5 of the NBA Finals this weekend. Curry caught fire by scoring 17 of his 37 points in the nail-biting fourth quarter and gave the Warriors a 3-2 series lead over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here's some number crunching that examines whether Golden State or Cleveland has the advantage at this point in the series — with the the key takeaway that the last time a team won in Cleveland's current situation was in 1978. Game 6 tips off tonight at 9 ET.
2. 'Major' Donald Trump announcement expected
Will he or won't he? Reality TV star, businessman and serial flirter with presidential campaigns Donald Trump is expected to make a "major" announcement at 11 a.m. Tuesday in New York. There have been signs that he's leaning toward a run, including some direct words to the Des Moines Register, in which he said the theme of his campaign is "Make America Great Again." (He also said: "I have a Gucci store that's worth more than Romney.") Trump has formed a leadership team in New Hampshire, which hosts the first presidential primary.
3. Rachel Dolezal on 'TODAY' show: 'I identify as black'
Rachel Dolezal, who stepped down Monday as president of the Spokane branch of the NAACP amid questions surrounding her racial identity, said Tuesday she identifies as black. Dolezal told NBC's TODAY show she began identifying herself as black as early as the age of 5, drawing pictures of herself with dark, kinky hair and dark skin. "I identify as black," she said. She said her hair style and light brown skin -- "I didn't stay out of the sun" -- prompted people to assume she was black. She acknowledged that she didn't correct people who made the assumption.
4. Ex-Egyptian President Morsi's death sentence upheld
An Egyptian court has upheld the death sentence given to ousted President Mohammed Morsi for his role in a mass prison break in 2011. Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian military in 2013 following a series of street protests against his rule. Earlier Tuesday, he was sentenced to life in prison for spying for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and Iran, the news agency AFP reported.
5. Can USWNT advance at World Cup?
Despite being in first place in its group, the U.S. women's national team is facing questions at the World Cup: Is Team USA really good enough to win it all? Can offensive standout Alex Morgan, who is returning from an injury, make a real contribution? Will that mean more goals for a team that has struggled scoring on the turf fields in Canada? Can the U.S. avoid further Hope Solo controversy? Team USA can answer the doubters and advance to the next round with a win Tuesday against the weaker Nigeria team. The United States is in first place in Group D with one win and one draw and advances with a win or a draw. Nigeria is last in the group and needs a win to advance. The game is at 8 p.m. ET.
And, the essentials:
Weather: Drenching rain will hit the central U.S., which could lead to flash flooding, while blistering heat will scorch the Southeast and Southwest.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Tuesday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at the Women's World Cup, Rizzoli & Isles and Clipped.
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