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

[MarathonMike]

Most interesting Final I can remember. Emerging stars, bench players coming up big good stuff!! I'm surprised that OKC hasn't put a single hard fouled on Haliburton. I don't want anyone hurt but he's barely been touched in 4 games from what I've seen.

 

[sealybobo]

Missed the game but I guess OKC had a hell of a comeback in 4th quarter, I expected them to win but not have to come back to do it.

2-2, will have to read about the next 3 games as I can’t watch it, go INDY!

This is turning in to quite an interesting series, ABC is loving it, I heard they make about $100 million per game, so they want a game 7

Indy NEEDED that game. Assuming they lose the next game in OKC Indy would also NEED to win game 6 at home.

That’s not to say they’re done. Weirder things have happened. Indy could win the next game in OKC. And OKC could win in Indy and Indiana could win game 7 in OKC. I will CERTAINLY be watching.

Even up 3 to 1 I would still be nervous. So really nervous now that it’s a best out of 3 and OKC has home court advantage.

What I think will happen, okc destroys Indy next game. Indy wins at home and okc wins game 7. But Indy could win game 7. That’s what I’m rooting for. A shocker. Upset.

And if okc wins cool. They are a pretty damn good team. Dynasty potential.

 

[odanny]

I think Indy plays better on the road, but in the case of OKC, they have been very good at home all season, so the strength of the Indy team is probably going to be negated by OKC home court advantage. I don't think Indy has enough consistency over a 7 game series to win 4 games, but I am pretty sure they will win one of the next two, setting up a Game 7 in OKC.

I still think that OKC wins this but I have over $500 reasons to cheer for the Pacers. I will not be surprised by a championship from either team, and Indy is capable of having two more great games, I'm just thinking they will be limited to one.

 

[MarathonMike]

OKC won game 4 on pure will. They were only 3-17 on 3 pointers and still won by 7. Has to give OKC confidence in game 5.

 

[leftwinger]

OKC won game 4 on pure will. They were only 3-17 on 3 pointers and still won by 7. Has to give OKC confidence in game 5.

Not that the board needs my thoughts, But, OKC did almost nothing wrong down the stretch while Indy did a lot wrong. Missed free throws, turnovers, no box out? Holmgren two key putbacks late with nobody near him?

OKC defense really stayed strong late 4th Quarter. Looked like IND could not get a good shot? When it got to one pt tight game late, some on IND became reluctant to even launch a 3 pointer when they were open? IND just played badly down the stretch, affected by good OKC defense IMVHO.

IND had 7 point lead end of three. Several leads with 3-4 minutes left, then back and forth till OKC got up for good. Yes I lost IND+5.5/Under 229. But, they get another chance at least.

Yes, SillyBozo we know. As the announcers say every game “this game is a must win”. They also jumped up-down yelling G3 winner wins 70% or 80% of all series.

Looks like this series may not follow past norms.

 

[MarathonMike]

This has been a really interesting series. Both teams are really young with no Finals experience. We'll see if Coach Daignault uses the same strategy and conserves SGA early.

 

[sealybobo]

OKC won game 4 on pure will. They were only 3-17 on 3 pointers and still won by 7. Has to give OKC confidence in game 5.

And Indiana really fucked up. Or, there was nothing they could do about it. I saw a lot of missed shots from Indiana. They did not play well at home the last game. And they REALLY needed that one. Can't wait for tonight.

 

[leftwinger]

To finally explode SillyBozo pointed little head, we need Indy to win tonight and OKC to Win G6. That should finish him off.

 

[leftwinger]

Indy only scored 17 pts in 4th quarter? Last 3-4 minutes, Mathies missed 3 or 4 free throws? Committed 2 dead ball fouls giving a FT & possession to OKC, holmgren got 2 dunks on rebounds late with missed Indy box out. Haliburton forced to rush long threes when others refused more open shots, McConnell turnovers, and more. Last 3 min no baskets?

All that, Indy lost by only 7? Totally out of character loss. The could give Indy hope?

But, OKC has also won some playoff teams by 40 recently?

 

[MarathonMike]

I didn't know anything about the Pacers, but they have to be one of the most unpredictable teams I've ever seen. Their bench has been amazing. If I was the OKC coach I would tell my players to foul the shit out of Haliburton on his first three drives into the paint. Not flagrant, just good hard playoff fouls, the guy has been untouched.

 

[MarathonMike]

Wow, Haliburton's injury must be way worse than advertised. He did NOTHING today but even so, the Pacers still stayed within striking distance without him.

 

[leftwinger]

Wow, Haliburton's injury must be way worse than advertised. He did NOTHING today but even so, the Pacers still stayed within striking distance without him.

One more basket by IND covers +9.5 and over. I lost almost all bets. Sigh.

Mathein was driving paint last possession lost ball, OKC ran out clock. Over hit but spread missed at 11pts.

 

[MarathonMike]

One more basket by IND covers +9.5 and over. I lost almost all bets. Sigh.

Mathein was driving paint last possession lost ball, OKC ran out clock. Over hit but spread missed at 11pts.

I watched the first half and saw Haliburton was a non factor so I figured it was over. Sounds like the calf injury is pretty bad he's questionable for Game 6.

 

[odanny]

I watched the first half and saw Haliburton was a non factor so I figured it was over. Sounds like the calf injury is pretty bad he's questionable for Game 6.

Man, that's some bullshit, he is using a "calf injury" as an excuse, this is some indication of why he was voted most overrated by other players. Sure, he has had some splash games, but then he disappears for the next two or three.

It's over now, there is no consistency with this Pacers team, but you know you can count on SGA for 30+ every single game. OKC deserves the title for sure, they have played this way all season long.

 

[MarathonMike]

Man, that's some bullshit, he is using a "calf injury" as an excuse, this is some indication of why he was voted most overrated by other players. Sure, he has had some splash games, but then he disappears for the next two or three.

It's over now, there is no consistency with this Pacers team, but you know you can count on SGA for 30+ every single game. OKC deserves the title for sure, they have played this way all season long.

His injury is real, but I think part of his inconsistency is he is physically kind of fragile. He looks like a college player that hasn't filled out. He'll be playing in Game 6 but if he isn't moving well O'Connell will take his place. That guy is playing his ass off.

 

[sealybobo]

So right you are.

Now Haloburton is no *****

Tyrese Haliburton injury: Pacers' star guard (calf) expected to play in NBA Finals Game 6, per report​

I'm just kidding. I know those other guys aren't faking their injuries. But it is funny just as each team is about to get upset, guys like Jason Taintum get hurt.

 

[MarathonMike]

Now Haloburton is no *****

Tyrese Haliburton injury: Pacers' star guard (calf) expected to play in NBA Finals Game 6, per report​

I'm just kidding. I know those other guys aren't faking their injuries. But it is funny just as each team is about to get upset, guys like Jason Taintum get hurt.

You think Jason Tatum faked an injury that required immediate surgery?

 

[MarathonMike]

OKC is going have to play "Whack a Mole" for all 48 minutes. Nothing more dangerous than a cornered wounded animal and that's what the Pacers are right now.

 

[leftwinger]

I watched the first half and saw Haliburton was a non factor so I figured it was over. Sounds like the calf injury is pretty bad he's questionable for Game 6.

IND cut the lead to 2pts late 4th (w/o Haliburton) quarter against unbeatable OKC. I won't say its over. I have no dog in race.

Sometimes they have a review giving the team backpeddling a free long timeout. That happened late game 5 IMO. OKC rested up and took over again.

 

[MarathonMike]

IND cut the lead to 2pts 4th quarter. Sometimes they have a review giving team backpeddling a free long timeout.

They just seem to find a way, it's going to be dog fight!