NBA Playoff Games 2025, Non-Celtics

[ConstableGeneva]

From Smitty:

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers would be the first NBA Finals since the luxury tax was in effect where neither team was a taxpayer.

At least one team was a taxpayer in every Finals where the luxury tax was in effect (2002 & 2005 did not have luxury taxes due to lack of BRI.)

Overall, 26 of the 44 teams in the NBA Finals since the luxury tax was in effect have been taxpayers.

16 of the 22 champions since the luxury tax was in effect have been taxpayers.

Which is more impressive -- OKC having two stars still on rookie deals or Pacers having most of their key guys on non-rookie contracts but still not paying the tax?

[Fierce1]

I don’t understand the finance part at all. How soon will the CBA screw over this OKC team?

2027-28 season.

OKC will have an intact roster for the next 3 seasons.

[London2Boston]

I don’t understand the finance part at all. How soon will the CBA screw over this OKC team?

2027-28 season.

OKC will have an intact roster for the next 3 seasons.

Damn. Those Miami and Knicks series looking real bad during our window now.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

OKC defense feels like it was built in a lab. Or it must be AI. Our stagnant stand-around one-pick-up-top, one-pass offense would've been its kryptonite though. They're lucky to have not faced us.

I don't know if the kryptonite comment is serious but OKC thrives on creating turnovers and Boston turns the ball over less than any team OKC might face. Coincidentally, the Pacers have the third lowest turnover percentage in the league (behind OKC and Boston) and I'm not sure any defense can force Haliburton into a bunch of turnovers so they clearly match up better with OKC than Minnesota's low IQ team. Whether that's enough to overcome the massive talent gap, we'll see.

[ConstableGeneva]

OKC defense feels like it was built in a lab. Or it must be AI. Our stagnant stand-around one-pick-up-top, one-pass offense would've been its kryptonite though. They're lucky to have not faced us.

I don't know if the kryptonite comment is serious but OKC thrives on creating turnovers and Boston turns the ball over less than any team OKC might face. Coincidentally, the Pacers have the third lowest turnover percentage in the league (behind OKC and Boston) and I'm not sure any defense can force Haliburton into a bunch of turnovers so they clearly match up better with OKC than Minnesota's low IQ team. Whether that's enough to overcome the massive talent gap, we'll see.

Our turnover rate increased in the playoffs by 2+ percentage points even without facing OKC. Both games against them in the regular season, we had a higher turnover rate than we're used to. And watching both games, it really felt their defense dictated the games more than our offense did.

OKC also doesn't just thrive on creating turnovers, they were also tops in limiting opponent eFG%. So even without forcing turnovers, they're able to get stops. Not a good matchup for us esp since we weren't really lighting courts on fire with our shooting.

[jonige94]

This OKC team is so much better coached than our team is, its not even funny.

[Larry_Russell]

This OKC team is so much better coached than our team is, its not even funny.

Joe sucks.

He got gifted a championship truthfully.

[tfmiii]

Curious that Nesmith logged as few minutes as he did in 1st half

Also, Indy playing at Knicks pace, ball movement stalling, lots of what can player x manufacture in last 5 of shot clock

[NYCelticsfan136]

What a crappy game by the pacers. Seriously. NBA finals could be a snoozefest.

[tfmiii]

Nembhard has been less than stellar for a couple games now

[ConstableGeneva]

Need the Pacers to finish this already so we can move on to the sweep in the Finals. Can't wait for the offseason. Celtics should be active.

[tfmiii]

Refs not deciding the game but that sequence in which Siakim is fouled (no call) versus Precious getting breathed upon - OMG

[playa-hater]

I like and have always liked TJ. McConnell, but the truth is, he's just not helping the Pacers. And may not be a high level Playoff contributor.

And once upon a time there were some posters here who said TJ. McConnell was much better than PP.. Well, time has revealed. Who is the much better player at this point.

[playa-hater]

Interesting, that jovonne Walker has barely played this playoffs. And in this series, what is making some big plays..

Absolutely. Love a coach who's not afraid to try a player..

And that is certainly more than a hint to what I am getting at..

[playa-hater]

There is no such thing as a sure thing in sports. But I felt this was the closest thing to a sure thing that New York would win. I just knew the Pacers would not give the same focus and effort.. And the knicks are playing desperate basketball defense.

I just hope indiana does not choke when they go back to indiana.

Edit.. If you want some proof to my statement, notice how unaggressive Hali has ben tonight.. It's almost comical compared to what he did the game before.

[MaxwellSmart]

Looked like Haliburton and The Pacers partied too much after the last game....and Nembhard can't hit a shot now, but last year he hit every shot against us....SMH.

[playa-hater]

Nesmith only playing 18 minutes tells me he's hurting on his ankle.

[NYCelticsfan136]

If the pacers take one game from the thunder it’s good but two? Should be a lopsided nba finals.

[Fierce1]

Not really a bad thing if there's a Game 7.

We really don't have a horse in this race.

[Marvel]

Ant Man ain't him.

Ant's height will limit his ceiling.

It's another story if Ant is as tall as Jaylen Brown.

I don't think it's that. His IQ is very low to be that guy. He can't read the game to be that elite talent. SGA for comparison has a very high IQ and he can elevate his game to an elite level because of it. A lot of Ant's shots are just dumb.