Official 2025 NBA Postseason Thread

[Robz4000]

Getting this warmed up. Feels pretty wide open this season. Gonna come down to health and matchups more than ever imo.

[Donald Sterling.]

I believe Lakers win it all if healthy, but their roster is so thin and top heavy that even an injury to a bench player like Gabe Vincent will pretty much derail their title hopes. They're kinda like the Suns but with better stars.

Celtics are very well constructed and balanced and can afford to lose a rotation player and be fine.

[Tyronn Lue]

Like to see either Cleveland or OKC win. Two teams who've played the right way all year, no hype.

[baseline bum]

OKC is gonna skullfuck everybody

[LkrFan]

OKC is gonna skullfuck everybody

:lol

[LkrFan]

OKC is gonna skullfuck everybody

:lol

[LkrFan]

OKC is gonna skullfuck everybody

:lol

[ambchang]

OKC will be tough to beat, they were consistently top 3 in O (top 3 right now) and D (top right now) Rating in the league this season. Their net rating is 2.7 points over #2 Cleveland. OKC, Cleveland and Boston are just head and shoulders above everyone else statistically.

OKC is efficient on offence (#7), low on TOs (best in the league), great on defence (#1 in eFG%), and #1 in forced TOs. In fact, they force 4.6 TO more than they commit, which is rather insane. That said, TOs usually decreases in the playoffs as the teams are of better quality and also game play is much more purposeful with less risks taken.

OKC is a poor rebounding team #21 in ORB% and #17 in DRB%. I would say the only good teams that are worse rebounding teams than OKC are Denver and New York, and Dallas if you still consider them good. If you take Hartenstein out, they do not have a single high volume rebounder in their lineup. Their FT rate is also pretty bad, 25th in FTA/FGA on offence (:lol Lakers are #1 despite being middle of the league, #13 in 3PTAr, #19 in shots taken in 0-3 feet of the basket, #3/5/8 in shots taken from 3-10, 10-16 and 16-3P. That is a hell lot of FTs for a mid range shooting team :lmao :ROFL), while being #26 on defence. They get a lot of fouls called on them by being aggressive on perimeter closeouts, going for steals and pressing the ball handler, closing passing lanes so that other teams cannot hurt them internally and punish them for their lack of size.

Stylistically, their offence is heavily reliant on SGA, who also performs much better with rest, and that is what the playoffs offer. Shai also plays noticeably, though not significantly worse in losses than in wins. If a team can focus on NOT doubling Shai and force his teammates to beat you, that seems to be a better strategy than limiting Shai and leaving his teammates open, because his teammates can and will make you pay. Not only is J-Dub a good finisher, but they have 5 other players who averages more than double figures. You leave them open, they will nail the shot. Not only that, but if a player hits a slump, which inevitably happens in the playoffs, another player will step up. it is just extremely difficult to shut down a team like that. They also defend the 3 pt line among the best of them. Long, quick perimeter players just shuts down the perimeter, making life hell for shooters, and they hound the ball handlers like only the best could.

I think their style of play matches up with the Celtics VERY well so if they go head to head, I expect them to come out on top. However, Cleveland with their size may pose some problems for them. it all depends on how well OKC can hound Mobley in the high post and force Cleveland to abandon that offensive set. Sengun in particular would suffer against OKC's swarming defence, and his lack of size and verticality will play into OKC's hand. Unless Amen Thompson or Eason can shut down, relatively, Shai and J-Dub, The OKC will likely take this in 6 or 7, but I expect this series to be insanely entertaining. Not sure how Steven Adams will fare in this matchup, his size and rebounding helps, but he is so slow.

Looking forward to this, I think OKC, as everybody else already noted, are the favourites on paper, but I will still take Boston (assuming OKC can't make the finals) or the Cavs to have just as much a chance in ringing.

Houston, with their size and perimeter defence, will also be a big problem for OKC. But I don't see the Rockets having enough firepower to really counter OKC's defence.

[Thread]

Anybody know who has the tie breaker this season twixt the Suns & Mavericks?

I'd appreciate it.
---
------
---------
Never mind, I just looked it up. Suns 3-1.

Well in that case I'll need 1 more victory by the Mavs, or, 1 more loss by the Suns and the Suns will be eliminated from the playoffs.

[Donald Sterling.]

OKC ain't winning shit :lol

Too young, too little playoff experience, their core of players has won a total of 1 playoff series so far.

Cute regular season team, that's it. They have only one legit star in SGA and his production is bound to take a hit when he stops getting his Harden type foodstamps in the playoffs.

[Thread]

OKC ain't winning shit :lol

Too young, too little playoff experience, their core of players has won a total of 1 playoff series so far.

Cute regular season team, that's it. They have only one legit star in SGA and his production is bound to take a hit when he stops getting his Harden type foodstamps in the playoffs.

The brutal truth & your Finest Hour.

[Robz4000]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1911548857085018357

[Robz4000]

Play-in:

EC-

Magic over Hawks
Heat over Bulls

Heat over Hawks

WC-

Dubs over Grizz
Kings over Mavs

Grizz over Kings

Postseason:

EC-

Cavs over Heat in 5
Celtics over Magic in 5
Pistons over Knicks in 6
Pacers over Bucks in 5

Cavs over Pacers in 7
Celtics over Pistons in 6

Celtics over Cavs in 7

WC-

Thunder over Grizz in 4
Rockets over Dubs in 7
Lakers over Wolves in 6
Clippers over Nuggets in 6

Thunder over Clippers in 6
Lakers over Rockets in 6

Thunder over Lakers in 5

Finals:

Celtics over Thunder in 6

[spursistan]

Play-in:

EC-

Magic over Hawks
Heat over Bulls

Heat over Hawks

WC-

Dubs over Grizz
Kings over Mavs

Grizz over Kings

Postseason:

EC-

Cavs over Heat in 5
Celtics over Magic in 5
Pistons over Knicks in 6
Pacers over Bucks in 5

Cavs over Pacers in 7
Celtics over Pistons in 6

Celtics over Cavs in 7

WC-

Thunder over Grizz in 4
Rockets over Dubs in 7
Lakers over Wolves in 6
Clippers over Nuggets in 6

Thunder over Clippers in 6
Lakers over Rockets in 6

Thunder over Lakers in 5

Finals:

Celtics over Thunder in 6

Hey Robz4000 .Might as well open an official playoffs thread upstairs with a Graph Bracket. Downstairs is kinda dead at this point tbh..

[Manu-of-steel]

Did Quentin post Zaza'd Ja Morant? Post also gave Pippen Jr a hard shove earlier.

[Raven]

31 ft with two players? really? this game must have flown...

[lefty]

West playoffs though


I would like to see OKC vs Clippers in the 2nd round, some interesting matchups to say the least

[DeadlyDynasty]

I don’t understand how so many media people can say the Lakers got a favorable draw. I want no part of a fresh and nothing-to-lose Ant Man in a 7 game series.

Imagine the possible trajectory of his career if he pulls off the upset

[Thread]

I don’t understand how so many media people can say the Lakers got a favorable draw. I want no part of a fresh and nothing-to-lose Ant Man in a 7 game series.

Imagine the possible trajectory of his career if he pulls off the upset

I just cringe imagining if the Lakers lose this series as to how James will take off after the White race all over again. He'll like call old man Trump everything but a White man within like 24 hours of like being eliminated.

"I could not play to my level knowing that Trump is President. I am completely undone and incapable of playing professional basketball again until Trump has been thrown from office and the Magic Negro made interim President until we can have a special Presidential Election and I get a 2 year extension. Oh, the shame. Oh, the racist nature. Oh, I don't think I can go on. Oh."

[ambchang]

Lakers shouldn’t even get home court. They should be in the playing based on point differential and net rating. Incredible stroke of luck for the entire year.

[Thread]

Lakers shouldn’t even get home court. They should be in the playing based on point differential and net rating. Incredible stroke of luck for the entire year.

We don't stand a snowball's chance in Hell, amb. We need a third wheel, not a superstar per se, but a player who can and will produce when James and Luka can't produce. The dry spells will be repugnant.

And they'll be no mercy shown James once it gets started. They're gonna be all over him all game long.

And Luka's heart ain't in it for the short run, nor the long run. He's miserable over there.

[ambchang]

We don't stand a snowball's chance in Hell, amb. We need a third wheel, not a superstar per se, but a player who can and will produce when James and Luka can't produce. The dry spells will be repugnant.

And they'll be no mercy shown James once it gets started. They're gonna be all over him all game long.

And Luka's heart ain't in it for the short run, nor the long run. He's miserable over there.

Lakers are nowhere close to contention, even with a 3rd wheel. James is way over the hill at this point and he can no longer carry a team to a title by himself, which was something he couldn’t do even in his prime. Davis was hurt all the time and even if you kept him and added a third wheel, say someone in the mold or level of a butler, the lakers are not good or deep enough to do anything. They be lucky to go past the first round.

With Luka, you’d be able to go to the second round. But I think that’s it.

Besides, you got your white man superstar, he ain’t from the states, but then it’s much better to have a white foreigner than a black American. Amirite?

[Thread]

Lakers are nowhere close to contention, even with a 3rd wheel. James is way over the hill at this point and he can no longer carry a team to a title by himself, which was something he couldn’t do even in his prime. Davis was hurt all the time and even if you kept him and added a third wheel, say someone in the mold or level of a butler, the lakers are not good or deep enough to do anything. They be lucky to go past the first round.

With Luka, you’d be able to go to the second round. But I think that’s it.

Besides, you got your white man superstar, he ain’t from the states, but then it’s much better to have a white foreigner than a black American. Amirite?

Well, said "black American" hates white Americans and was indignant at having to win that last Laker's title/in the bubble because we whites was waiting for him to make up his mind. Oh, he was one miserable SOB having to grant on us. If he was really committed to his cause he'd a left that NBA Title on the counter and walked out that door. Eh?

[ambchang]

Well, said "black American" hates white Americans and was indignant at having to win that last Laker's title/in the bubble because we whites was waiting for him to make up his mind. Oh, he was one miserable SOB having to grant on us. If he was really committed to his cause he'd a left that NBA Title on the counter and walked out that door. Eh?

Why would Lebron win one for the whites and be miserable?

Besides, why would black Americans hate white Americans? I mean, it's not like they were ever treated poorly in the past or anything.

[Thread]

Why would Lebron win one for the whites and be miserable?

Besides, why would black Americans hate white Americans? I mean, it's not like they were ever treated poorly in the past or anything.

Because he hates white Americans and knew that we were waiting on him to win that Title for our white asses.

[chubbs]

OKC can win it all but arent nearly as invincible as people say. they have significant flaws and weaknesses. and many of their strengths dont work as well in the post season.

Boston is the clear favorite. OKC and LAL are probably next tier. Denver and Golden State are dark horses.

[lefty]

OKC can win it all but arent nearly as invincible as people say. they have significant flaws and weaknesses. and many of their strengths dont work as well in the post season.

Boston is the clear favorite. OKC and LAL are probably next tier. Denver and Golden State are dark horses.

What weaknesses? serious question tbh

Cleveland can beat Boston if Zingus is out imo.
IIf he is healthy, Boston will beat them

[chubbs]

What weaknesses? serious question tbh

Cleveland can beat Boston if Zingus is out imo.
IIf he is healthy, Boston will beat them

halfcourt offense almost purely dependent on SGA isos/foulbaiting

defense is overly dependent on turnovers, struggles against teams that protect the ball well

they struggle against size - subpar rebounding, chet is soft as wemby

jwill is not a legit #2 scorer, awful in halfcourt against competent defenders; dependent on transition offense

[LkrFan]

Lakers shouldn’t even get home court. They should be in the playing based on point differential and net rating. Incredible stroke of luck for the entire year.

https://media.tenor.com/REKAvIgWzb0AAAAM/surprised-sorprendido.gif

:lol

[ambchang]

Because he hates white Americans and knew that we were waiting on him to win that Title for our white asses.

And he did it. So what are you complaining about? He’s not Uncle Tom enough for you? You want kobe?

[ambchang]

https://media.tenor.com/REKAvIgWzb0AAAAM/surprised-sorprendido.gif

:lol

Told you. Wolves arent even that good and already exploiting them. Wait for some 37-12 FT advantage in game 2.

[FrostKing]

https://i.ibb.co/TM3pNyTT/images-49.jpg

Ai ^ ?

NBA didn't step in. Fraud league. Bye.

[lefty]

halfcourt offense almost purely dependent on SGA isos/foulbaiting

defense is overly dependent on turnovers, struggles against teams that protect the ball well

they struggle against size - subpar rebounding, chet is soft as wemby

jwill is not a legit #2 scorer, awful in halfcourt against competent defenders; dependent on transition offense
Intersting tbh

Especially the last point. J Dub is inconsistent as a secondary scorer, he has to be better.

SGA has good playmaking abilities, it will be interesting to see what happens when defenses key in on him, but at the same time he has so many counters in his scoring repertoire

[Thread]

And he did it. So what are you complaining about? He’s not Uncle Tom enough for you? You want kobe?

That he grudged it, amb, to White Americans. Then set the Black bitches out the day after ringing to rant & rave about it.

[Thread]

Told you. Wolves arent even that good and already exploiting them. Wait for some 37-12 FT advantage in game 2.

And I told you...LeBron can't perform at playoff level. (They'll) let him be in the first 82 by gentlemen's agreement, but come playoff time our goose is cooked. Everything was flat and veered.

[ambchang]

That he grudged it, amb, to White Americans. Then set the Black bitches out the day after ringing to rant & rave about it.

Why would white Americans bask in the glory of a black man’s accomplishments? What does that have to did with it?


And I told you...LeBron can't perform at playoff level. (They'll) let him be in the first 82 by gentlemen's agreement, but come playoff time our goose is cooked. Everything was flat and veered.

It’s not lebron. It’s lakers every year.

[Thread]

Why would white Americans bask in the glory of a black man’s accomplishments? What does that have to did with it?



It’s not lebron. It’s lakers every year.

Because he had to sate us White hoard by choosing to win it, instead of walking away from it to deny said hoard.

---

And stop whining about the officiating in Game 2 before it's even tipped.

[ambchang]

Because he had to sate us White hoard by choosing to win it, instead of walking away from it to deny said hoard.

---

And stop whining about the officiating in Game 2 before it's even tipped.

Are there only white fans for the lakers? He had no issues in Miami, or Cleveland. Oh right, you’re making shit up, again!

And you are whining about LeBron whining before there even a series. So get off your soap box.

[Thread]

Are there only white fans for the lakers? He had no issues in Miami, or Cleveland. Oh right, you’re making shit up, again!

And you are whining about LeBron whining before there even a series. So get off your soap box.

No, but LeBron is only calling out to the White fans. I'm answering him on this Board.

& he ain't whining now. He whined then.

And once bounced out of these playoffs he'll take to the race baiting 24/7. He's gonna go after Trump like the last pork chop on the plate.

Old side-shot LeBron. tee, hee.

[ambchang]

No, but LeBron is only calling out to the White fans. I'm answering him on this Board.

& he ain't whining now. He whined then.

And once bounced out of these playoffs he'll take to the race baiting 24/7. He's gonna go after Trump like the last pork chop on the plate.

Old side-shot LeBron. tee, hee.

He was calling out injustices of the judicial system that your president isn’t just trying to ignore, but enforce. If you happen to be one of those people who think having two sets of rules depending on skin colour then maybe you should’ve listened to him. Not everyone can be an Uncle Tom like Jordan or kobe.

[Thread]

He was calling out injustices of the judicial system that your president isn’t just trying to ignore, but enforce. If you happen to be one of those people who think having two sets of rules depending on skin colour then maybe you should’ve listened to him. Not everyone can be an Uncle Tom like Jordan or kobe.

Stop whining!

[ambchang]

Stop whining!

Talk to your president about it then. Whining on an Easter message about the radical left and judges that don't conform to his wishes. Again, you are once again being a hypocrite. Just shove it Thread. Tell me, what part of Lebron's whine was wrong? Any of that made up? Any of that fake?

[Thread]

Talk to your president about it then. Whining on an Easter message about the radical left and judges that don't conform to his wishes. Again, you are once again being a hypocrite. Just shove it Thread (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=19320). Tell me, what part of Lebron's whine was wrong? Any of that made up? Any of that fake?


Trump is taking retribution on mine enemies. I don't blame him an iota, amb. You wouldn't let him have his first 4 years, then tried to blow his head off to keep him from his second 4 years. He's blood drunk, amb. Nobody that comes within a fraction of an inch from having his blown off is ever right again. You know what he's waiting for, don't ya? Just like I told Winehole in the Politics thread...he wants you D's to gain that House, and come after him, January '27. He's gonna take off gloves and we're gonna see each other, amb, in the street.

As for LeBron, he's a race baiting SOB who got caught twixt a rock & a hard place with that NBA Title for the Lakers. I had that prick on-the-spot, and he's still sore as hell at having to grant on old Dale.

P.S., That PoS down in L Sal is stayin' there, ambPERIOD

[[[Blood drunk...n. a state in which an individual becomes intoxicated with rage (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rage), rendering (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rendering) his enemy fucked up beyond all recognition (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=recognition).]]]

Let us proceed...

[ambchang]

Trump is taking retribution on mine enemies. I don't blame him an iota, amb. You wouldn't let him have his first 4 years, then tried to blow his head off to keep him from his second 4 years. He's blood drunk, amb. Nobody that comes within a fraction of an inch from having his blown off is ever right again. You know what he's waiting for, don't ya? Just like I told Winehole in the Politics thread...he wants you D's to gain that House, and come after him, January '27. He's gonna take off gloves and we're gonna see each other, amb, in the street.

As for LeBron, he's a race baiting SOB who got caught twixt a rock & a hard place with that NBA Title for the Lakers. I had that prick on-the-spot, and he's still sore as hell at having to grant on old Dale.

P.S., That PoS down in L Sal is stayin' there, ambPERIOD

[[[Blood drunk...n. a state in which an individual becomes intoxicated with rage (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rage), rendering (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rendering) his enemy fucked up beyond all recognition (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=recognition).]]]

Let us proceed...
You are full of shit again. I’m not even American, I can’t vote for him or against him (or is it Him for you) so I have no way of not having him or keeping him out. Trump is out for blood and lebron can’t? What is trump out for blood for? Did the white guys get shipped from their motherland against their wills and tortured for 400 years? Did his ancestors build America for free so that it can have a system to suppress them further? What is so justified for him to get blood?

Conversely, why does LeBron not justify his rage compared to what trump rages over?

[Thread]

You are full of shit again. I’m not even American, I can’t vote for him or against him (or is it Him for you) so I have no way of not having him or keeping him out. Trump is out for blood and lebron can’t? What is trump out for blood for? Did the white guys get shipped from their motherland against their wills and tortured for 400 years? Did his ancestors build America for free so that it can have a system to suppress them further? What is so justified for him to get blood?

Conversely, why does LeBron not justify his rage compared to what trump rages over?

Then don't sell out and take the NBA Title off the rack. He sheepishly takes it off, grumpily/in rage orders the Black bitches out the next 48 hours to tear White a brand new asshole.

You don't see the old man selling out. You don't see the old man order others to do his own wet work. Ever. It's his religion.

Because they tried to blow his head off to stop him from being President again.

[ambchang]

Then don't sell out and take the NBA Title off the rack. He sheepishly takes it off, grumpily/in rage orders the Black bitches out the next 48 hours to tear White a brand new asshole.

You don't see the old man selling out. You don't see the old man order others to do his own wet work. Ever. It's his religion.

Because they tried to blow his head off to stop him from being President again.

What the heck are you talking about? LeBron ha I by issues with societal issues so he can’t win a title?

Trump regularly got people to do his dirty work? You act like Jan 6 never worked.

[Thread]

What the heck are you talking about? LeBron ha I by issues with societal issues so he can’t win a title?

Trump regularly got people to do his dirty work? You act like Jan 6 never worked.

Don't grudge winning that title to White by sending out Black Female on the day after to roust said White.

Your F.B.I. standing out front egging people to go in, encouraging people to go in, inviting people to go in.

Dog & pony show.

[LkrFan]

Told you. Wolves arent even that good and already exploiting them. Wait for some 37-12 FT advantage in game 2.

Wolves shot 25 freebies last night. Lakers shot 20.

Shut your pie hole son. :lol

[Thread]

Wolves shot 25 freebies last night. Lakers shot 20.

Shut your pie hole son. :lol

Yeah, amb, stop whining especially prematurely.

[ambchang]

Wolves shot 25 freebies last night. Lakers shot 20.

Shut your pie hole son. :lol

Two challenges against the lakers. Got both I think. They just ran out. The lakers have to be kept in check. Front running team.

:lol lakers probably deserved like 12 of throws FTs and wolves should’ve had 40.

[Thread]

Two challenges against the lakers. Got both I think. They just ran out. The lakers have to be kept in check. Front running team.

:lol lakers probably deserved like 12 of throws FTs and wolves should’ve had 40.

Stop whining!!!

How's Strokesville doin'?

[ambchang]

Stop whining!!!

How's Strokesville doin'?

Tell the prez. The countries are taking advantage of America! The previous presidents are all bad. I just chose not to do any thing in 2016 and made the economy bad then.

[Donald Sterling.]

Houston Djohns losing to the Warriors without Butler :lol

Jalen Green acting tough after the final whistle with his painted nails :lol

[chubbs]

:lmao djohn proclaiming that amen thompson is better than lebron and bird combined :rollin :rollin :rollin

[chubbs]

halfcourt offense almost purely dependent on SGA isos/foulbaiting

defense is overly dependent on turnovers, struggles against teams that protect the ball well

they struggle against size - subpar rebounding, chet is soft as wemby

jwill is not a legit #2 scorer, awful in halfcourt against competent defenders; dependent on transition offense

called it

if indy continues to control the glass and keep turnovers to a reasonable level, they win the series

cant imagine dort keeping up his insane shooting either, hes due to regress