2025 NBA FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 2-1)

[picc]

OKC seems like frontrunners if I'm being honest, they don't look good in crunch time.

Other than SGA, no one seems like they can create any offence.

I'm going to be so impressed with SGA if he ends up pulling off a championship with so little creation around him

Who can create on Indy? Difference is that Indy's coach has an offensive game plan that has guys always moving, allows guys to attack a moving defense off the catch. OKC's offense is watching Shai iso or sometimes JDub iso while spreading the floor with shooters. It can look good when the shots go in, but in comparison, it's ugly offense.

Haliburton
Nembhard
Siakim
McConnell
Mathurin

[sol537]

If IND wins it all, probably the greatest title run in the NBA… ever. Crazy!

[djsunyc]

so the knicks lost to the champs. interesting

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lol

[thelead]

So the questions regarding how the young Thunder would play on the road in a close game with the championship on the line remains a legit concern, even if the media just completely glossed over it.

Not sure anyone really played poorly tbh. To me, the offense was fine but it looked more like the refs didn't allow OKC to grab, hug, and foul Indy all night long.

They're still playing .500 ball (4-4) on the road in the playoffs and giving up an average of 115ppg. If they want to win the title, they are going to have to win a close games. Will their squinting coach be able to help them in those butt-clenching moments? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I will say this, I am a fan of Jalen Williams but man am I completely over hearing him being better than Paolo. That's not to say I don't think he's an all-star and a VERY talented player but his efficiency comes from moving the ball right to SGA when he doesn't feel comfortable taking a tough shot. He played well tonight but he hides way too often for my liking.

[Blame Rasho]

Whatever happens now, we have a series that will likely go the distance (at least 6 games) which is what we all wanted after the last couple of relatively uncompetitive finals series.

The Pacers are repping the Eastern Conference with style and panache, couldn’t be prouder of them !

Rick Carlisle almost reaches Spo tier legacy as coach if Indy wins the Chip (if he is not there already)

Almost? Winning 2 titles as the clear underdog puts him above Spo.

Concur with you amigo.

[mademan]

I'm going to be so impressed with SGA if he ends up pulling off a championship with so little creation around him

Who can create on Indy? Difference is that Indy's coach has an offensive game plan that has guys always moving, allows guys to attack a moving defense off the catch. OKC's offense is watching Shai iso or sometimes JDub iso while spreading the floor with shooters. It can look good when the shots go in, but in comparison, it's ugly offense.

Haliburton
Nembhard
Siakim
McConnell
Mathurin

Those guys create better in a vacuum than Shai/Jdub/Wiggins/Caruso? Maybe slightly. The big difference is that theyre always moving. It's easier to create against a retreating defense than a set one

[DaGawd]

so the knicks lost to the champs. interesting

c

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p

e

lol

is it at this point? lol

[TheGOATWill]

McConnell out Carusoed Caruso. Winning basketball from a guy who's had a sneaky good playoff run.

[Optms]

If IND wins it all, probably the greatest title run in the NBA… ever. Crazy!

3rd behind Pistons and Mavericks.

[thelead]

so the knicks lost to the champs. interesting

c

o

p

e

lol

is it at this point? lol

series is not over... but it wouldn't be a bad way to cope if it ends up being that way IMO

[jbsays]

Let's not put that into the air.

Giannis on OKC just wouldn't be fair..

What exactly would the offer be? I'd think 3 of OKC's rotation players. Obviously SGA would be untouchable. Would it be Chet, Jalen Williams, and picks?

I don't see why the Thunder should blow up their current team. They had one of the best regular seasons in NBA history and are 3 wins away from the finals, despite fielding the 2nd youngest roster in the NBA. By all intents and purposes, they are way ahead of schedule. Most championship teams usually have to go through 2-3 runs before they finally break through. Guys like Jdub and Chet aren't even close to their cielings yet. I would continue building what they have.

Yes... I agree. I should have added if they move 2 of those guys and another rotation player or two they're not the same team.

[Chuck Everett]

Three Pacer starters in single digits and they still won the game. Spooky season man.

[Marvin Martian]

If IND wins it all, probably the greatest title run in the NBA… ever. Crazy!

Nope. Beating an injured MIL and CLE team already disqualifies them

[kwajo]

No matter the outcome, this has been a very good Finals matchup so far, it’s such a shame some people aren’t tuning in just because these aren’t big market teams. Good basketball is good basketball.

[Nuntius]

So the questions regarding how the young Thunder would play on the road in a close game with the championship on the line remains a legit concern, even if the media just completely glossed over it.

Not sure anyone really played poorly tbh. To me, the offense was fine but it looked more like the refs didn't allow OKC to grab, hug, and foul Indy all night long.

All of OKC's main guys played well. The difference in this game was the bench. Indiana's bench stood out. Mathurin, McConnell and Toppin combined for 45 points. OKC's bench didn't do a ton this game. Mathurin outscored them on his own (27 to 18).

Look, the boost that you get from your bench matters a lot. Aaron Wiggins scored 18 points and was a +24 in game 2. Tonight, he didn't score and was a -5. Caruso scored 20 points off the bench and was a +6 in game 2. Tonight, he scored 8 points and was a team worst -15. When a series is close, these differences matter quite a lot.

[durden_tyler]

At the very least this shuts up non-believers now. Win or lose this series, it has been one hell of a run.


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[Deathray]

Daigs should probably consider giving Wiggins some 4th quarter time to help the offense.

[jkvonny]

Congrats , Pacers and fans!

Wow, 2 more wins yall. Almost there.

[Optms]

Three Pacer starters in single digits and they still won the game. Spooky season man.

Chet, J-Dub and Shai all with 20+ as well just adding to even more spookiness

[sol537]

Carlisle is coaching circles around OKC’s coach… holy cow