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2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (Series tied 3-3)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 3:34 pm
by bisme37
Game 7: Sunday May 18, 3:30pm ET on ABC

Continued from here:
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2458540
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 3:38 pm
by JM00n69
Let's go Nuggets!
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 4:45 pm
by Clav
Defense! Each player, star or otherwise, has had very up and down nights shooting the ball in this series. Denver has made good use of zone defense against OKC often and sends a wall of defenders at Shai specifically. He's passed, but also in the G3 loss, passing resulted in his teammates missing. In G5; Dort came up clutch. OKC has made it very difficult to get into the paint for post players with hard denials around the key. I see both teams hyper-focusing on the other MVP candidate and making life hell. Can't wait for tonight.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 4:56 pm
by Castle Black
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 4:58 pm
by darkse1d
Last year nuggets won game 5 with jokic looking like the best player ever after dropping 40 on Gobert. The nuggets then lost game 6/7. I'm predicting a similar outcome. OKC won game 5 but nuggets are winning game 6 and game 7.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:09 pm
by GeorgeSears
Nuggets should've won games 4 and 5. Blew both of them.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:12 pm
by Castle Black
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:34 pm
by Wolfgang630
Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:43 pm
by falcolombardi
Wolfgang630 wrote:Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
Maybe they want to give it in game 7 id it happens? Dunno
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:45 pm
by MrPainfulTruth
As every game in this series the outcome will depend on refs, and wether useless Murray and MPJ show up or the good versions (i saw them only in one game so far).
As for the refs, outside of one game that was visibly handed to OKC (even though they were much better and probably would have won without the BS calls by a landslide, too) they were pretty fair. However, one thing i wish to see only once, because i dont recall a single call - call an offensive foul on SGA's blatant push offs. Has been talked about all season, and whoever keeps pretending the officiating is free of agenda and goal can explain how out of 500+ players only one consistently gets away with full arm shoves.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 5:57 pm
by CIN-C-STAR
Wolfgang630 wrote:Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
I find it pretty weird.
It’s a regular season award and the further the presentation of it is removed from the regular season the more it just feels like an afterthought imo.
The conference finals and Finsls are pretty exciting, most don’t even care much about mvp at that point.
Also most voters have divulged their vote by now so feels anticlimactic.
Not sure what they’re waiting for. I thought it would’ve happened before game 5, which, assuming it didn’t affect anything, would have actually been perfect as Ahai had an excelllent game and OKC won.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:01 pm
by hardenASG13
MrPainfulTruth wrote:As every game in this series the outcome will depend on refs, and wether useless Murray and MPJ show up or the good versions (i saw them only in one game so far).
As for the refs, outside of one game that was visibly handed to OKC (even though they were much better and probably would have won without the BS calls by a landslide, too) they were pretty fair. However, one thing i wish to see only once, because i dont recall a single call - call an offensive foul on SGA's blatant push offs. Has been talked about all season, and whoever keeps pretending the officiating is free of agenda and goal can explain how out of 500+ players only one consistently gets away with full arm shoves.
Should they call Jokics moving screens after handoffs, too? That's most of them. Then we'd have both guys in foul trouble all game. Is that what you want to see? Would you acknowledge Jokics illegal (moving/leaning) screens?
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:02 pm
by Wolfgang630
CIN-C-STAR wrote:Wolfgang630 wrote:Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
I find it pretty weird.
It’s a regular season award and the further the presentation of it is removed from the regular season the more it just feels like an afterthought imo.
The conference finals and Finsls are pretty exciting, most don’t even care much about mvp at that point.
Also most voters have divulged their vote by now so feels anticlimactic.
Not sure what they’re waiting for. I thought it would’ve happened before game 5, which, assuming it didn’t affect anything, would have actually been perfect as Ahai had an excelllent game and OKC won.
Maybe Jokic won and decided to announce it for game 6 lol.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:11 pm
by MrPainfulTruth
hardenASG13 wrote:MrPainfulTruth wrote:As every game in this series the outcome will depend on refs, and wether useless Murray and MPJ show up or the good versions (i saw them only in one game so far).
As for the refs, outside of one game that was visibly handed to OKC (even though they were much better and probably would have won without the BS calls by a landslide, too) they were pretty fair. However, one thing i wish to see only once, because i dont recall a single call - call an offensive foul on SGA's blatant push offs. Has been talked about all season, and whoever keeps pretending the officiating is free of agenda and goal can explain how out of 500+ players only one consistently gets away with full arm shoves.
Should they call Jokics moving screens after handoffs, too? That's most of them. Then we'd have both guys in foul trouble all game. Is that what you want to see? Would you acknowledge Jokics illegal (moving/leaning) screens?
Nonsense. Jokic barely sets moving screens, you are making nonsense up just like you did all series. And he was in fact called for a moving screen multiple times. How often was SGA called for his pushoffs?
Nice strawman try. I wonder where the trolls are gonna move next once the Nuggets are gone...
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:11 pm
by funkatron101
As a Wolves fan, I'm not sure who to root for. My head says the Nuggets as I think the Wolves have a better chance against them. But if they pull off the unlikely and move past OKC, they will have that grit and determination on their side.
At the same time, it will be yet another 7 game series. Perhaps that will cause extra fatigue?
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:14 pm
by hardenASG13
MrPainfulTruth wrote:hardenASG13 wrote:MrPainfulTruth wrote:As every game in this series the outcome will depend on refs, and wether useless Murray and MPJ show up or the good versions (i saw them only in one game so far).
As for the refs, outside of one game that was visibly handed to OKC (even though they were much better and probably would have won without the BS calls by a landslide, too) they were pretty fair. However, one thing i wish to see only once, because i dont recall a single call - call an offensive foul on SGA's blatant push offs. Has been talked about all season, and whoever keeps pretending the officiating is free of agenda and goal can explain how out of 500+ players only one consistently gets away with full arm shoves.
Should they call Jokics moving screens after handoffs, too? That's most of them. Then we'd have both guys in foul trouble all game. Is that what you want to see? Would you acknowledge Jokics illegal (moving/leaning) screens?
Nonsense. Jokic barely sets moving screens, you are making nonsense up just like you did all series. And he was in fact called for a moving screen multiple times. How often was SGA called for his pushoffs?
Nice strawman try. I wonder where the trolls are gonna move next once the Nuggets are gone...
It's not nonsense, they happen more often than SGA pushing off. You have 0 objectivity when it comes to Jokic, and haven't been able to acknowledge any reasonable noted flaws with his play. Makes it impossible for anyone to discuss Jokic with you because you resort to name calling immediately when someone says something you don't want to hear.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:14 pm
by Castle Black
Wolfgang630 wrote:Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
I honestly believe it's cause they don't want to piss Joker off by giving it to Shai in front of him

. Legit. I bet OKC brass asked them to wait til after the series is over for that reason. That's actually hilarious if so.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:27 pm
by lethalizer
Damn, I expected the poll to be much closer than this.
People really trust in Denver to pull this one off I guess.
Should be a good one, hope OKC will be up to the task.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 6:28 pm
by CIN-C-STAR
Wolfgang630 wrote:CIN-C-STAR wrote:Wolfgang630 wrote:Nobody finds it weird they haven’t given MVP out yet…..? They’ve never waited this long. Something is up…..
I find it pretty weird.
It’s a regular season award and the further the presentation of it is removed from the regular season the more it just feels like an afterthought imo.
The conference finals and Finsls are pretty exciting, most don’t even care much about mvp at that point.
Also most voters have divulged their vote by now so feels anticlimactic.
Not sure what they’re waiting for. I thought it would’ve happened before game 5, which, assuming it didn’t affect anything, would have actually been perfect as Ahai had an excelllent game and OKC won.
Maybe Jokic won and decided to announce it for game 6 lol.
ESPN did put out an article today about mvp and mvp runner ups facing each other in the playoffs historically, so you may be in to something.
Seems like that article would have made as much or more sense to put out before the series. Nothing has changed in the mvp race over these 5 games.
They have awarded it on the road in the past though, so maybe it’s tonight and Shai like most of us expect. I just don’t understand why you do it in the road — the Denver fans don’t want to see that lol but OKC fans would love it.
Re: 2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC leads 3-2)
Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 7:10 pm
by psimanic1
hardenASG13 wrote:MrPainfulTruth wrote:As every game in this series the outcome will depend on refs, and wether useless Murray and MPJ show up or the good versions (i saw them only in one game so far).
As for the refs, outside of one game that was visibly handed to OKC (even though they were much better and probably would have won without the BS calls by a landslide, too) they were pretty fair. However, one thing i wish to see only once, because i dont recall a single call - call an offensive foul on SGA's blatant push offs. Has been talked about all season, and whoever keeps pretending the officiating is free of agenda and goal can explain how out of 500+ players only one consistently gets away with full arm shoves.
Should they call Jokics moving screens after handoffs, too? That's most of them. Then we'd have both guys in foul trouble all game. Is that what you want to see? Would you acknowledge Jokics illegal (moving/leaning) screens?
yes, call it, but also call every touch foul on Jokic, every push off from SGA, and lets see what happens when everyone adjusts...you will give Jokic 2 fouls for moving screens, he will stop with it, but you will have 30 more fouls on OKC players because they foul Jokic on EVERY play, only play they don't foul him are transitions where he is on his side of the court...you want that?