G7's Usually Disappoint but NOT in NBA Finals; Maybe We'll Get an OKC-IND G7 Classic?

durden_tyler · Post #1 » by **durden_tyler** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:17 am

THE BEST TWO WORDS IN SPORTS (Could be a cliche soon)

Made a statement in the main game thread that Game 7s are usually a disppointment with one team running away from the other early and/or late for a blowout win but apparently not in the NBA Finals, at least recently;

NBA Finals - Game 7s in NBA History (Last 5)
2016 - Cleveland Cavaliers def. Golden State Warriors, 93-89
2013 - Miami Heat def. San Antonio Spurs, 95-88
2010- Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics, 83-79
2005 - San Antonio Spurs def. Detroit Pistons, 81-74
1994 - Houston Rockets def. New York Knicks, 90-84

Not including the list pre-90s but there were 13 other NBA Finals that went the distance during the ancient times;
- Two went to overtime (Celtics vs Hawks in '57 and Celtics vs Lakers in '62)
- 9 of 13 games were decided by 9 points or less; 8 of 13 games by 7 points or less
- 4 of 13 games ended up in blowouts (14 point win or more)

For context, don't look up recent Game 7s in non-NBA Finals (most were blowouts as i remember that's why the initial statement that usually G7s are a disappointment), just recently;

Thunder def. Nuggets, 125-93 (2025 West Finals)
Warriors def. Rockets, 103-89 (2025 West First Round)
Nuggets def. Clippers, 120-101 (2025 West First Round)

and last year,

Wolves def. Nuggets, 98-90 (2024 West Semis)
Pacers def. Knicks, 130-109 (2024 East Semis)
Cavaliers def. Magic, 106-94 (East First Round)

So maybe, just maybe, we are getting a classic ending to the season this year?! Despite the Thunder being big favorites that game (i expect a 9.5 spread/line for the Thunder), maybe we'll get a close Game 7!?

Watch on YouTube

RaptorPride · Post #2 » by **RaptorPride** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:20 am

damn its been that long? Life has changed so much but the 2016 series feels like it was yesterday.

jowglenn · Post #3 » by **jowglenn** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:21 am

Haliburton game winning half court shot buzzer beater incoming

durden_tyler · Post #4 » by **durden_tyler** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:22 am

jowglenn wrote:Haliburton game winning half court shot buzzer beater incoming

But first, Pacers trailing the Thunder by 13 points with 3 minutes to go in that Game Seven. :lol:

RaptorPride · Post #5 » by **RaptorPride** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:22 am

jowglenn wrote:Haliburton game winning half court shot buzzer beater incoming

GreenBloodedC · Post #6 » by **GreenBloodedC** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:23 am

Game 7 against the clutchest team in the league.

RaptorPride · Post #7 » by **RaptorPride** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:23 am

durden_tyler wrote:
jowglenn wrote:Haliburton game winning half court shot buzzer beater incoming

But first, Pacers trailing the Thunder by 13 points with 3 minutes to go in that Game Seven.

Hali gets hurt in the first quarter and returns with 3 mins to go in the game.

MrGoat · Post #8 » by **MrGoat** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:25 am

TJ McConnell with a game winning poster dunk over Chet

SlimShady83 · Post #9 » by **SlimShady83** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 3:26 am

DOUBLE overtime here we go!

durden_tyler · Post #10 » by **durden_tyler** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:04 am

SlimShady83 wrote:DOUBLE overtime here we go!

That would be the dream for all of us here in RealGM-- including the TV ratings lovers. LOL

Memories · Post #11 » by **Memories** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:13 am

durden_tyler wrote:
SlimShady83 wrote:DOUBLE overtime here we go!

That would be the dream for all of us here in RealGM-- including the TV ratings lovers. LOL

Let's not get it twisted: the game could go into quadruple overtime with the first 3 overtimes ending with game tying buzzer beaters, Hail playing the whole game with a torn ACL, SGA with a torn shoulder that he temporarily heals by bumping it onto a wall King Kong style, 2 players bleeding from their busted heads, and the game ending on a half court buzzer beater...

It would still get the worst ratings since 2005 because neither team is a big market or Lebron James.

durden_tyler · Post #12 » by **durden_tyler** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:15 am

Memories wrote:
durden_tyler wrote:
SlimShady83 wrote:DOUBLE overtime here we go!

That would be the dream for all of us here in RealGM-- including the TV ratings lovers. LOL

Let's not get it twisted: the game could go into quadruple overtime with the first 3 overtimes ending with game tying buzzer beaters, Hail playing the whole game with a torn ACL, SGA with a torn shoulder that he temporarily heals by bumping it onto a wall King Kong style, 2 players bleeding from their busted heads, and the game ending on a half court buzzer beater...

It would still get the worst ratings since 2005 because neither team is a big market or Lebron James.

Yes, we accept the fact that casual fans can be dumb.

syrus3 · Post #13 » by **syrus3** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:18 am

*a big market or Steph Curry

Curry drives ratings, not LeSteroid

durden_tyler · Post #14 » by **durden_tyler** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:27 am

Watch on YouTube

Memories · Post #15 » by **Memories** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:30 am

durden_tyler wrote:
Memories wrote:
durden_tyler wrote:
That would be the dream for all of us here in RealGM-- including the TV ratings lovers. LOL

Let's not get it twisted: the game could go into quadruple overtime with the first 3 overtimes ending with game tying buzzer beaters, Hail playing the whole game with a torn ACL, SGA with a torn shoulder that he temporarily heals by bumping it onto a wall King Kong style, 2 players bleeding from their busted heads, and the game ending on a half court buzzer beater...

It would still get the worst ratings since 2005 because neither team is a big market or Lebron James.

Yes, we accept the fact that casual fans can be dumb.

Not can be...ARE dumb.

metalinguss · Post #16 » by **metalinguss** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:46 am

Win or lose, the Thunder need another vet PG who can handle the ball and get buckets too or a Pg who can defend and hit the 3. Someone like CJ McCollum or Marcus Smart come to mind. They’d be even scarier.

NCHeels2008 · Post #17 » by **NCHeels2008** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:00 am

I'm so worried it'll be like the Denver OKC G7 where OKC gets a few turnovers, some easy baskets and blows them out, I hope not but it's like half their home games turn into blowouts

Post #18 » by **zimpy27** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:03 am

I win $3400 if Pacers win championship.

Now I can bet $2650 on OKC to win championship and come away with $3400 either way. So $750 of certain money.
Or I can let it roll on.

$750 certain money or $3400 if Pacer win game 7.

What do you choose?

RRR3 · Post #19 » by **RRR3** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:06 am

zimpy27 wrote:I win $3400 if Pacers win championship.

Now I can bet $2650 on OKC to win championship and come away with $3400 either way. So $750 of certain money.
Or I can let it roll on.

$750 certain money or $3400 if Pacer win game 7.

What do you choose?

I would choose not to waste my money gambling at all

jkvonny · Post #20 » by **jkvonny** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:07 am

The last Game 6 winner to lose Game 7 in the NBA Finals was the Pistons in 2005.
Spurs were the home team in Game 7.

The last road team to win Game 7. We're the Cavs at GSW in 2016 NBA Finals.
That was the last time there was a Game 7 the NBA Finals.

Majority of Game 7s in the NBA Finals have been close.
You can include the 1988 Lakers over Pistons 108-105
Also 1984. Celtics over Lakers 111-102
1978 Washington Bullets (Wizards) over Seattle SuperSonics (now OKC Thunder) 105-99
There hasnt been a Game 7 blowout wins in the NBA Finsls since the early '70s. Not huge blowouts, but comfortable wins.
1974 Celtics over Bucks 102-89
1970 Knicks over Lakers 113-99

OP is right. It's typically close in Game 7s of NBA Finals.

Now, playoff series/rounds before NBA Finals? Yes, there's been quite a few blowout wins in Game 7s over the years.