Have you watched OKC Thunder play defense? There's your 2025 NBA champion.

[odanny]

It was 2023 when Boston was down 0-3 to Miami and forced a game 7, they could definitely force a game 7 if Tatum is healthy enough to get 30 points a game

 

[leftwinger]

It was 2023 when Boston was down 0-3 to Miami and forced a game 7, they could definitely force a game 7 if Tatum is healthy enough to get 30 points a game

Replacement Pritchard aint bad. Tatum was almost a liability this series. This could be a good thing. Jump start the rest of them?

 

[MarathonMike]

Everyone is writing off the Celtics, I'm not sure I would do that yet. They could win the next 3 in a row, if they have a hot game and actually close it out in Game 5, don't be surprised if they win in NY in Game 6, and then it's back home for a deciding Game 7.

Last year they reeled off 3 wins in a row after being down 0-3, this team is kind of weird like this.

I expect Boston to win this next game on pure emotion. I don't think they have an answer for Brunson and I think he will close them out in game 6 at home. I had no idea how good he was, what a closer! Terrible to see Tatum's non contact injury, hopefully he doesn't miss next season.

 

[odanny]

All the "experts" I have seen online are big on OKC tonight, they all expect them to cover the -9.5 they are laying and their "model" predicts a 116-100 final score, we will see how close they get. I kind of expect Joker to get 30 tonight, and the experts disagree. Joker is due, he has had two poor games in a row.

Tatum was the same way until last night when he went off for 42 before getting hurt. I still don't know what's wrong with him but he left the court like he was seriously hurt, with an ACL or something. Is he done? He should be with the way he exited.

 

[22lcidw]

What is good is that we are seeing some different teams win in this league. There have been to many so-called super teams. Free agency abused helped to cause it also over a period of years.

 

[sealybobo]

I watched OKC the other night for the first time this year. Wow what a defense! They are suffocating, there are no holes and they don't rely on just one guy to score on offense. Barring injuries I don't see any team beating them in the playoffs.

I think OKC, Denver or Minnesota will win it all.

Boring if ny doesn’t make the finals but no way they win it all.

Can’t wait to see if they can knock Denver out. And Minnesota should be tough no?

 

[sealybobo]

I watched OKC the other night for the first time this year. Wow what a defense! They are suffocating, there are no holes and they don't rely on just one guy to score on offense. Barring injuries I don't see any team beating them in the playoffs.

The Thunder will lose game 6 in Denver then choke game 7 at home.

I'm so happy the teams I wanted to win won. Indiana vs. NY. Reminds me of Reggie Miller vs. Patrick Ewing

I also predict Minnesota upsets OKC in the Western Finals. Should OKC beat Denver.

 

[MarathonMike]

The Thunder will lose game 6 in Denver then choke game 7 at home.

I'm so happy the teams I wanted to win won. Indiana vs. NY. Reminds me of Reggie Miller vs. Patrick Ewing

I also predict Minnesota upsets OKC in the Western Finals. Should OKC beat Denver.

In 12 hours you flip flopped on OKC. Why?

 

[sealybobo]

In 12 hours you flip flopped on OKC. Why?

Probably based on what I saw or what I was thinking at the moment. I may even be flip flopping again. There is NO reason for me not to root for OKC, other than I don't know dick about them and I love to see great teams fail. Like Cleveland and Boston and Denver.

Why do I like Denver? I don't know. Maybe the greatest white center to ever play the game is on that team? I wouldn't be mad if Denver won either.

And for some reason, I would not be upset at Golden State if they won another championship. I don't hate any of these teams like I did the Bulls/Lakers. I truly hated those teams because they were so good. But I didn't hate Tim Duncan's Spurs or Golden state. Who knows why.

And funny because today, as much as I hated Jordan and wanted to see him lose, he won me over by NEVER losing in the finals. That son of a bitch.

I don't hate Lebron either but I certainly don't want that pussy to tie Jordan's number of championships. Because he doesn't deserve it. I like Lebron and Kobe having less rings than Jordan. I feel it's fitting since he's the GOAT and they are close imitations of him.

You are right. With Denver and Boston and Golden State gone it guarantees a team that's never won is going to win. I like that. But another part of me likes it when the same teams win. Like when the Spurs or Warriors Dynasties won. Pretty cool. I was expecting Denver to be more than a 1 and done team. Same with the Bucks.

I hope Giannis goes to NY next year.

 

[leftwinger]

Denver was rolling last night 85% of game. The best they can play. Championship level.

But OKC did not panic. Suddenly they cranked it up a notch to get open looks and did not miss. They made DEN miss.

Very impressive. This may be best two teams hands down. Maybe INDY too?

 

[leftwinger]

Why doesn't he just stay with the team he was treated well and won one title. Enough of these prima Donna's w/o any loyalty or integrity to the fans buying
Season tickets at MIL.

hope Giannis goes to NY next year.

 

[leftwinger]

Does DAL trade Flag for Gianiss?

Not with their team. Old kyrie off Achilles? Worthless never available hangnail also older Anthony Davis and bits and pieces? Yannis would make little difference at MIL south.

 

[MarathonMike]

Denver was rolling last night 85% of game. The best they can play. Championship level.

But OKC did not panic. Suddenly they cranked it up a notch to get open looks and did not miss. They made DEN miss.

Very impressive. This may be best two teams hands down. Maybe INDY too?

OKC is the YOUNGEST TEAM in the playoffs. They are still figuring out how good they are. I think they pin their ears back and win it in Denver.

 

[sealybobo]

Why doesn't he just stay with the team he was treated well and won one title. Enough of these prima Donna's w/o any loyalty or integrity to the fans buying
Season tickets at MIL.

I sort of like it. Rather than a great player be buried on a team he knows isn't going to win, he can go join another team.

I hear with the new rules next year Boston Celtics are going to get broken up. They have the money but the rules are going to force them to trade some key guys. That's bullshit. But that teams breaking up anyways. Poor Zingis. He's only got 1 year left on his contract. Of course this is just what I hear.

Should Donovan Mitchell have stayed in Utah? If he did, you wouldn't even know who I was talking about.​

You're a Republican right? Of course you liked the good old days where the owners made all the money and the players had no power. It made for a better game when the owners owned the players.

I bet you hate college kids getting paid. I don't. They deserve every penny. I played a college sport briefly. It's almost impossible to do sports and college at the same time. Especially when your coach is an olympic gold medalist who insists you train the same way he did for the Olympics. Only difference is he wasn't going to college at the same time. He went to college 1976 - 1981. He won the Olympics in 1984

 

[odanny]

Murray and Joker stepped up last night and the rest of the team played well, and once again, Porter Jr. did nothing, it was like Denver playing 4 against 5, that guy is a bust, they need to get rid of him, he was crazy over hyped in college and has done nothing as a pro.

 

[sealybobo]

Murray and Joker stepped up last night and the rest of the team played well, and once again, Porter Jr. did nothing, it was like Denver playing 4 against 5, that guy is a bust, they need to get rid of him, he was crazy over hyped in college and has done nothing as a pro.

Honestly, I thought he would become a better player too after winning a championship but he's the same guy he was then. Looks like he has great potential but for whatever reason it's just not happening.

Not everyone has the work ethic of Brunson or Jordan. Does he work on his game in the off season?

 

[leftwinger]

Mr. Denver 2025: probably won’t play G7. Spread increased one point. Gordon is valuable. You knew when he limped and grabbed hamstring late G6 it was not good.

No one has answer for Jocic. Even two 7’ers don’t phase him. Can he pick up where he left off?

Can that new guy from injured (17pts G6) pick up for Gordons clutch shooting? Julian Strawther Prop Bets, Odds, And Stats - NBA

Maybe this is now too much to ask?

 

[MarathonMike]

Wow it didn't look that bad when it happened. Gordon is a huge loss, Joker and Murray will need to come up with 60+ for them to have a chance.

 

[leftwinger]

-23pts 3rdQ. Looking very bad for DEN. Nothing like G5 or G6? DEN can’t make up 26pts vs. a team that can score.

I will say the REFS have been letting OKC off pretty easy mugging Jocic and other stuff too. The answer to Jocic is to put a midget on him. Like Magic playing Center for the Lakers at BOS in a G7? playoff game. It worked.

WestBrick actually looked disinterested at the start? Unforced Turnover too. Is he is mad they let Gordon try? And he did not start? WTH?

MIN vs. OKC now, 3min into 3rd.

 

[MarathonMike]

OKC learned a lot in this series. I don't see the Wolves having enough to stay with them.