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

[MarathonMike]

He led the league in tech fouls this season, he needs to grow up first if he ever plans to be great, he might get there someday, but not this year.

He could learn a lot watching SGA.

 

[MarathonMike]

Yep, I soured on them vs. GS.

They can’t seem to play fast. Trailing by 11 walking the ball up then around top of key is maddening.

They were up at half (killing my $7 bonus bet OKC to win both halfs). I had bet OKC when odds flipped after MINN roared ahead at the start.

At the half I jumped in at MINN+8,5 hoping either winner would keep it close. They fooled me for awhile, It is nice when Randall is hitting 30’ bombs.

That's why the NBA is so hard to predict. What did Randle have, six 3 pointers in the first half? Really?

 

[leftwinger]

Pacers Knicks. Is NY as good as they say? INDY defense is not Thibbudueax level is it?

I lost a lot of bets against NY the last two years. I had DET, I liked BOS on and on. Am I a believer now?

Only INDY saved me last year from debtors prison. And OKC scoring points.

 

[MarathonMike]

Tricky one today. Pacers are a better team imo but Knicks at home. Bridges could be the key to Knicks W or L.

 

[leftwinger]

Wow. What a game! Indy & Over. Thought it was almost no chance.

 

[MarathonMike]

You owe Nesmith a beer. And of course Haliburton for his immaculate brick at the buzzer.

 

[MarathonMike]

OKC defense forced 21 turnovers and grabbed 19 offensive boards. It's amazing that the Wolves were even close. SGA 40 pts, Ant man 16 pts ouch.

 

[TheSportsAllStar]

They play some damn good defense.

But, the Thunder vs Pacers might be a low rating Finals....

 

[stockhome]

Who is doing the finals this year? If Doris Burke is there, then no thanks. They had a great combination with Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.

 

[sealybobo]

In 12 hours you flip flopped on OKC. Why?

Boy was I wrong. OKC for sure is going to win it all. Indiana should win game 6 at home. But even if the Knicks manage to win in Indiana, I can soooo see them putting up a stinker in MSG game 7 and breaking Spike Lee and Tracy Morgan's hearts.

I really like OKC. Like, could that be one of the greatest teams of all time? If they win it all this year and repeat next year, we may be having that conversation. They're DEEP. So deep they put Minnesota's ass to sleep. LOL.

 

[MarathonMike]

Boy was I wrong. OKC for sure is going to win it all. Indiana should win game 6 at home. But even if the Knicks manage to win in Indiana, I can soooo see them putting up a stinker in MSG game 7 and breaking Spike Lee and Tracy Morgan's hearts.

I really like OKC. Like, could that be one of the greatest teams of all time? If they win it all this year and repeat next year, we may be having that conversation. They're DEEP. So deep they put Minnesota's ass to sleep. LOL.

One of the youngest teams in NBA history to get to the finals. They have every chance to become a GOAT level team. SGA is so methodical, it's like he gets a quiet 30 points almost every night.

 

[sealybobo]

One of the youngest teams in NBA history to get to the finals. They have every chance to become a GOAT level team. SGA is so methodical, it's like he gets a quiet 30 points almost every night.

It's weird how the Bucks only ruled for a year. Boston only one year. Denver only one year. Will this team win it all this year and not be the best team next year?

I think this team is deep too. So they can lose a couple guys and still win it all again. Like when my 1990 Piston's had to give away Rick Mahorn.

 

[odanny]

So does Indy have a chance? Most are saying it's going to be 4-1, but my prediction is OKC 4-2. These teams played last on March 29th, at OKC, and they blew out Indy 132-111.

 

[odanny]

They play some damn good defense.

But, the Thunder vs Pacers might be a low rating Finals....

It's going to be super low rated, unless Indy jumps out to an early lead, say 2-0, then all the talk about an upset will bring people to watch the rest of the series.

I think this series, if Haliburton actually balls out every game, could go 7 games, but Haliburton is not like SGA, SGA shows up for every game. Haliburton has too many off nights. Let's see if this changes.

 

[MarathonMike]

Uncharted waters for both teams. That's the only wildcard otherwise it's probably 4-0 for OKC. But given both teams inexperience I think it's longer, probably 4-2 OKC.

 

[odanny]

96 Bulls -950
99 Spurs -900
2000 LAL -800
2001 LAL -2000
2002 LAL -750
2018 GSW -1075
2025 OKC -700

Every -700 or above favorite on this list won the championship, except the Thunder.

2004 LAL -700 lost to the Pistons, and it only went 5 games. I think they were tired of being in the Finals.

 

[odanny]

Teams that were down by 9+ points in the final 3 minutes of the NBA Finals were 0-182 overall since 1971, until Haliburton hit that shot for the comeback win last night. This Indy team is money.

 

[stockhome]

Who is doing the finals this year? If Doris Burke is there, then no thanks. They had a great combination with Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.

So who is doing the finals?

 

[stockhome]

If Indiana wins it all, then it will be an incredible season and incredible playoff run.

 

[sealybobo]

It's going to be super low rated, unless Indy jumps out to an early lead, say 2-0, then all the talk about an upset will bring people to watch the rest of the series.

I think this series, if Haliburton actually balls out every game, could go 7 games, but Haliburton is not like SGA, SGA shows up for every game. Haliburton has too many off nights. Let's see if this changes.

They were saying whoever guarded SGA last night did a good job. As good as you can hope against a guy that good.

I didn't think it was one of these guys. I think there is a 3rd guy on the Packers who is not only capable of scoring but he is doing well guarding SGA?

Either Nesmith or Nembhard will draw the unenviable honor of guarding SGA.

Is there a 3rd person on the Pacers who guarded SGA well last night?