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06-03-2025, 12:10 AM
Looks like the Thunder could roll in this one. Don't know that the Pacers win more than one or two games in the series, but I guess stranger things have happened.
Watching the playoffs, I've come to realize that the Thunder are a lot better defensively than I'd given them credit for. They've beaten what were probably the second and third best teams in the West (Denver and Minnesota), so it isn't as if they've somewhat backed in like the Pacers (who beat a down Bucks and injured Cavaliers team before beating a Knicks team that'd beat an injured Boston).
Don't know why, but I just haven't had as much interest in the NBA Playoffs this season. The format is designed so that the best teams win, but that can be pretty anti-climatic, and it doesn't really have much to do with two small market teams with rosters devoid of many megastars. If anything, the constant blowouts (teams trading 25+ point wins and losses) just hasn't seemed to produce lots of exciting games.
Here's to hoping that changes, but given the Pacers' lack of scoring punch and size, I won't be holding my breath.
Watching the playoffs, I've come to realize that the Thunder are a lot better defensively than I'd given them credit for. They've beaten what were probably the second and third best teams in the West (Denver and Minnesota), so it isn't as if they've somewhat backed in like the Pacers (who beat a down Bucks and injured Cavaliers team before beating a Knicks team that'd beat an injured Boston).
Don't know why, but I just haven't had as much interest in the NBA Playoffs this season. The format is designed so that the best teams win, but that can be pretty anti-climatic, and it doesn't really have much to do with two small market teams with rosters devoid of many megastars. If anything, the constant blowouts (teams trading 25+ point wins and losses) just hasn't seemed to produce lots of exciting games.
Here's to hoping that changes, but given the Pacers' lack of scoring punch and size, I won't be holding my breath.
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06-03-2025, 08:27 AM
Like you, I will be very surprised if this series goes more than five games. OKC has proven to be the best team all year, and they may actually be setting themselves up for a little mini-dynasty run as they are still one of the youngest teams in the league. I can’t imagine the powers that be in the league are too thrilled with OKC-Indiana, I’m sure they would like Celtics or Knicks vs. Lakers (or Warriors are long as Steph is still playing) every year.
06-03-2025, 11:30 AM
I had Indiana and Boston playing in the eastern finals. Boston went down then I had Indiana picked to win the east.
OKC I agree is the favorites. I won't be one bit surprised if Indiana gives them a run for their money. I've been very impressed with Indy since the first time I watched them in the playoffs. I'm very high on this Indy team. Idk what it is, just been impressed with them. I'd kinda like to see Indy win the thing
OKC I agree is the favorites. I won't be one bit surprised if Indiana gives them a run for their money. I've been very impressed with Indy since the first time I watched them in the playoffs. I'm very high on this Indy team. Idk what it is, just been impressed with them. I'd kinda like to see Indy win the thing
06-04-2025, 02:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-04-2025, 02:14 AM by Cactus Jack.)
(06-03-2025, 11:30 AM)King Kong Wrote: I had Indiana and Boston playing in the eastern finals. Boston went down then I had Indiana picked to win the east.
OKC I agree is the favorites. I won't be one bit surprised if Indiana gives them a run for their money. I've been very impressed with Indy since the first time I watched them in the playoffs. I'm very high on this Indy team. Idk what it is, just been impressed with them. I'd kinda like to see Indy win the thing ;)
I haven't seen tons of Pacers games, but I'm just hoping for a good series with some close games after most of what we've suffered through so far. 40 point blowouts by teams who eventually lose the series (i.e., Timerwolves vs. Thunder) aren't good for the game. Neither is three games in a seven game series being decided by 25+ (see also: Timberwolves vs. Thunder).
Just worry that the Pacers won't be able to score enough to win. I know that they score a lot of points, but that doesn't always mean running great offense or winning lots of games. Will be interesting to see if Siakam is able to score off of non-set or broken plays; they aren't going to run offense through him, but if he can clean the glass and do his best modern day Rodman, then Indiana has a much better chance.
06-04-2025, 11:11 AM
Yeah the playoffs have been wild this year! Like you said CJ either a major blow out, or a team with a huge lead falling apart at the end and losing. Been some crazy comebacks this year too.
Which I always said about the NBA, a 20 point lead might as well be only a 2 or 4 point lead! Lol
I really haven't watched the NBA much at all this year until the playoffs started. I hadn't watched Indy any until the playoffs. After I watched them once, I had to keep watching. Couldn't pass one of their games up!
I believe OKC seems to have a deeper team. If I'm not mistaken, some former UK players on their team. I'd like to see them win a championship too.
I did follow Indy pretty heavy last year. They had Oscar on a two way contract. Playing with them and the Mad Ants I believe it was. I'm calling him by Oscar because I can't spell his last name right. Former UK player.
Then Indy traded Oscar off to Utah I believe it was. He's been burning it up for Utah playing for their developing team. As he did with Indy last year. Idk why Indy traded him off as well as he's done. Looks like they could have used his rebounding, especially now.
Which I always said about the NBA, a 20 point lead might as well be only a 2 or 4 point lead! Lol
I really haven't watched the NBA much at all this year until the playoffs started. I hadn't watched Indy any until the playoffs. After I watched them once, I had to keep watching. Couldn't pass one of their games up!
I believe OKC seems to have a deeper team. If I'm not mistaken, some former UK players on their team. I'd like to see them win a championship too.
I did follow Indy pretty heavy last year. They had Oscar on a two way contract. Playing with them and the Mad Ants I believe it was. I'm calling him by Oscar because I can't spell his last name right. Former UK player.
Then Indy traded Oscar off to Utah I believe it was. He's been burning it up for Utah playing for their developing team. As he did with Indy last year. Idk why Indy traded him off as well as he's done. Looks like they could have used his rebounding, especially now.
Game 1 ends with a stunned OKC arena.
Way to hang in there Indy, heck of a comeback!
One thing I like about this series: If I heard one of the announcers right, both teams combined, there's only 3 guys that has finals experience. That's between both teams. I like seeing different people like this getting a shot at winning the thing. Instead of same people over and over again.
Way to hang in there Indy, heck of a comeback!
One thing I like about this series: If I heard one of the announcers right, both teams combined, there's only 3 guys that has finals experience. That's between both teams. I like seeing different people like this getting a shot at winning the thing. Instead of same people over and over again.
06-06-2025, 02:01 AM
If this is a good series with a couple more close games, I'll be more than happy.
Thought OKC was going to go on a big run to end the 1st Half-- they were up 12 with around 2 minutes left and something happened on a Shai three that missed terribly. They had a little run after that where they hit 2 or 3 threes to keep it from getting out of hand. Still thought that it was going to be one of those games where they didn't get over the hump until really late.
Overall, the Pacers turned it over a ton, but they shot really well from 3 and won the glass (they had more defensive rebounds than OKC's total).
Siakam was a problem, but he isn't someone you can draw things up for. Toppin was pretty big, and I'm not sure that he has many games like that left in him, but Haliburton probably has better games scoring the ball ahead.
Shai had a pretty good game, but Holmgren was a no-show. We'll see some line-up changes from OKC, along with better games from their supporting cast.
Think the Thunder come back pretty strong in Game 2 despite a pretty deflating loss. This game might have some elements that made it seem like the Thunder's "best shot" for three and a half quarters, but it actually might have been Indiana's "best shot". Pacers will probably find a way to win another game at home-- they'll go back at least tied and the crowd will be scorching hot. I still think OKC wins the series decisively because I can see them blowing the Pacers out whereas I don't see Indy doing the same to them. Either way, I'm definitely more interested now.
Thought OKC was going to go on a big run to end the 1st Half-- they were up 12 with around 2 minutes left and something happened on a Shai three that missed terribly. They had a little run after that where they hit 2 or 3 threes to keep it from getting out of hand. Still thought that it was going to be one of those games where they didn't get over the hump until really late.
Overall, the Pacers turned it over a ton, but they shot really well from 3 and won the glass (they had more defensive rebounds than OKC's total).
Siakam was a problem, but he isn't someone you can draw things up for. Toppin was pretty big, and I'm not sure that he has many games like that left in him, but Haliburton probably has better games scoring the ball ahead.
Shai had a pretty good game, but Holmgren was a no-show. We'll see some line-up changes from OKC, along with better games from their supporting cast.
Think the Thunder come back pretty strong in Game 2 despite a pretty deflating loss. This game might have some elements that made it seem like the Thunder's "best shot" for three and a half quarters, but it actually might have been Indiana's "best shot". Pacers will probably find a way to win another game at home-- they'll go back at least tied and the crowd will be scorching hot. I still think OKC wins the series decisively because I can see them blowing the Pacers out whereas I don't see Indy doing the same to them. Either way, I'm definitely more interested now.
06-06-2025, 12:52 PM
Pregame show was trash, so bad I ended up not watching the game. NBA has to do better.
Go Pacers.
Go Pacers.
06-06-2025, 01:21 PM
Several times I thought OKC would run away with it but Indy kept hanging around.
Indy turned the ball over 19 time's in the first half alone. I looked at the half time score. OKC was up, but it could've easily been a lot worse. I guess OKC wasn't able to capitalize on many of Indys turnovers.
If I'm being honest, OKC done everything they needed to do except win the game. I've never seen a team force as many steals as OKC did on Indy. I was about to think Indy needed to go to the nearest Jr Pro youth league and relearn how to hang onto the ball!! Lol
I was about to think I could form my own team. From the likes of, Ol Cleatus, Rufus T Ja Hoban Bocken the 14, Smitty Vun Housta Jubban the 18th, Myself, and a few more of my friends that lives miles back in the woods. And play OKC, and we'd not have as many turnovers as Indy did!!
Moving forward, Indy needs to practice holding onto the ball better and making better passes. OKC needs to capitalize better on their steals. Work on putting a team away better.
Indy only lead for 0.3 seconds! But they lead when the final horn sounded, that's what counts. Haliburton didn't have close to his best game and still hit another game winner. Dude's definitely got ice water in his veins!
Even the Espn announcers had to throw all their notes away, for talking points after the game. Because hardly none of them had talking points of Indy winning! Lol
Indy turned the ball over 19 time's in the first half alone. I looked at the half time score. OKC was up, but it could've easily been a lot worse. I guess OKC wasn't able to capitalize on many of Indys turnovers.
If I'm being honest, OKC done everything they needed to do except win the game. I've never seen a team force as many steals as OKC did on Indy. I was about to think Indy needed to go to the nearest Jr Pro youth league and relearn how to hang onto the ball!! Lol
I was about to think I could form my own team. From the likes of, Ol Cleatus, Rufus T Ja Hoban Bocken the 14, Smitty Vun Housta Jubban the 18th, Myself, and a few more of my friends that lives miles back in the woods. And play OKC, and we'd not have as many turnovers as Indy did!!
Moving forward, Indy needs to practice holding onto the ball better and making better passes. OKC needs to capitalize better on their steals. Work on putting a team away better.
Indy only lead for 0.3 seconds! But they lead when the final horn sounded, that's what counts. Haliburton didn't have close to his best game and still hit another game winner. Dude's definitely got ice water in his veins!
Even the Espn announcers had to throw all their notes away, for talking points after the game. Because hardly none of them had talking points of Indy winning! Lol
06-07-2025, 12:50 AM
Another thing I missed was all the 3's Indy hit. I seen a ESPN announcer say Indy would need to hit 3's like that every game moving forward to give themselves a chance. Maybe true and they are capable of shooting like that from deep every night. At least from what I've seen from watching the playoffs.
If OKC capitalized on more of the steals they caused, they maybe run Indy outta the building.
If Indiana didn't turn the ball over as near as much as they did, perhaps they come close to running OKC outta their own gym.
This was a wild game to look at pretty much any way you want to look at it or think about it. I don't think neither team played their best game, in game one.
If OKC capitalized on more of the steals they caused, they maybe run Indy outta the building.
If Indiana didn't turn the ball over as near as much as they did, perhaps they come close to running OKC outta their own gym.
This was a wild game to look at pretty much any way you want to look at it or think about it. I don't think neither team played their best game, in game one.
06-07-2025, 01:40 PM
(06-06-2025, 01:21 PM)4 Quarters Wrote:(06-06-2025, 12:52 PM)plantmanky Wrote: Pregame show was trash, so bad I ended up not watching the game. NBA has to do better.Tell me, what does the pregame show have to do with the actual game. I very seldom ever watch the pregame stuff, it's all BS.
Go Pacers.
When your scrolling along and see the game is going to be one, put its in the pregame, so you chick that channel. Then you listen to a trash pregame show, that makes you change the channel, you get into something else, dont watch the game.
Pretty simple.
06-08-2025, 10:16 PM
At the half of game two and OKC is up by 18.
1st qtr seemed pretty even. OKC maybe pulling away away slightly towards the end.
2nd qtr OKC run away with. Indy once again hanging on by a thread.
Will Indy have another epic comeback and steal another game.
Or
Will OKC keep their foot on the gas and run Indy straight outta the arena.
OKC 59
Indy 41
1st qtr seemed pretty even. OKC maybe pulling away away slightly towards the end.
2nd qtr OKC run away with. Indy once again hanging on by a thread.
Will Indy have another epic comeback and steal another game.
Or
Will OKC keep their foot on the gas and run Indy straight outta the arena.
OKC 59
Indy 41
06-12-2025, 12:38 PM
Indiana takes game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead.
I missed this one, out fishing late
Turned on espn after I got back. From the highlights they showed, looked like this was probably the most competitive game yet, from start to finish.
So far this series has been pretty good. I figured this Indiana team would be tough to deal with. They made some awesome defensive adjustments in this game. Kinda gave OKC a taste of their own medicine on defense.
OKC, it's almost scary to think about how good they are with such a young team, for what future potential holds.
Haliburton, last night had his best overall game in the series so far.
I missed this one, out fishing late
Turned on espn after I got back. From the highlights they showed, looked like this was probably the most competitive game yet, from start to finish.
So far this series has been pretty good. I figured this Indiana team would be tough to deal with. They made some awesome defensive adjustments in this game. Kinda gave OKC a taste of their own medicine on defense.
OKC, it's almost scary to think about how good they are with such a young team, for what future potential holds.
Haliburton, last night had his best overall game in the series so far.
After game 4, you can just pretty much go back to my post after game one and just reverse the roles Lol
Stunned Indiana Pacers fans leaving the arena
OKC takes game 4 to even the series at 2-2
Indiana lead pretty much the whole game until late in the 4th quarter. OKC took the lead and held on. The young OKC team showed great composure.
This has been a really good series thus far.
Stunned Indiana Pacers fans leaving the arena
OKC takes game 4 to even the series at 2-2
Indiana lead pretty much the whole game until late in the 4th quarter. OKC took the lead and held on. The young OKC team showed great composure.
This has been a really good series thus far.
Yesterday, 07:45 PM
OKC shot poorly from 3pt range most of the game and still won! Idk what Indiana has got to do from that standpoint. This is game 4 I'm talking about.
One thing I like about OKC they seem to take their free throw shooting seriously. They barely missed from the foul line in game 4 and they got there alot. That was definitely a big reason for their comeback win.
I've said it on this site before but my dad throughout my whole life has preached the importance of hitting your free throws. Especially when watching Uk games. And you can go look at almost any close game. If a team loses a close one almost every time if they'd had a few more makes than misses at the foul line, the results could've easily been different. It shows this in the stats of every game.
Now I know there's other factors in play other than free throws, when it comes to winning and losing, but free throws are definitely one of those factors.
OKC out shot Indiana from the foul line. Big outcome here in OKC getting the win.
One thing I like about OKC they seem to take their free throw shooting seriously. They barely missed from the foul line in game 4 and they got there alot. That was definitely a big reason for their comeback win.
I've said it on this site before but my dad throughout my whole life has preached the importance of hitting your free throws. Especially when watching Uk games. And you can go look at almost any close game. If a team loses a close one almost every time if they'd had a few more makes than misses at the foul line, the results could've easily been different. It shows this in the stats of every game.
Now I know there's other factors in play other than free throws, when it comes to winning and losing, but free throws are definitely one of those factors.
OKC out shot Indiana from the foul line. Big outcome here in OKC getting the win.
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