Official 2025 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Dex]

I rather Pacers win the le rather than OKC

Same. I wouldn't mind if OKC wins, but after all our battles over the years (and the fact they stole a team from Seattle), I'm rooting for the Pacers.

[Ice009]

Can’t wait to watch the do entary on Toppin throwing the 2025 Finals because he bet the house on OKC

Any particular reason for this comment? Has he been rumoured to point shave or something.

Also, just watched the game and as I said a few days ago, I give the Pacers a chance because of Rick Carlisle as I thought he's a great coach. Having said that, I should have also said Haliburton too. The whole Pacers team is playing hard, but Hali has been clutch as a mofo. All you guys that said the Spurs should take him when the Spurs pick was up and he was still on the table, well, looks like you guys were right on that call.

Told you Rick Carlisle was dangerous. You can’t just show up and expect to win. OKC thought the Pacers would just roll over and hand them that championship. Good luck with that.

Yes man, you said it a few days ago and I agreed/said the same thing.

[ginobilized]

Pacers are a dangerous, deep and well-rounded team. Carlisle is outreaching everyone. Their big man and guard rotations are tough. OKC might be 2 big bodies away from winning this.

One weird thought that popped into my head in the Knicks series is how many points has TJ McConnell scored and how many points have the Pacers outscored their opponents by? I'm too lazy to do the math, but, it feels like the 2 numbers might be related. He has been ridiculously efficient in these series. Seems to score at will within 30 seconds, or less, of entering the game. Also seems like a guy that you need to seriously account for and the Thunder didn't get that memo. Though not realistic, it feels like if you stop his easy buckets, you win.

I'm not sure that Daigneault has the ability to keep up with, much less dictate, the adjustments and story arc to put OKC in a position to win. Game 2 should be very telling. I'd be studying the out of the game 2 tapes of the Knicks series if I'm OKC. The basketball gods are smiling on the Pacers.

[TD 21]

Daigneault is another arrogant, smug, flavor of the month, too caught up in trying to be some modern, trendy genius to burnish his reputation and overcoaching.

Even if it's obvious you'll have to shapeshift your rotation to a particular matchup, you never change your starting lineup entering a series, especially as an overwhelming favorite.

Psychologically, you tell both teams that what you've done isn't going to be good enough, when it more than likely would have been.

From inexplicably giving fringe-deep bench players cameos to playing his at worst third best player 24 minutes to closing with micro ball, particularly against a team with two quality bigs (even if neither are "bruiser" types) is absurd.

He deserved for them to get bludgeoned on the glass and lose.

[lefty20]

Lisan-Al-Halib

[Mnky]

yes! I did a look around in this thread and not surprised it’s the usual suspects overrating this Thunder team. The Thunder can still win the championship but it doesn’t mean the pacers don’t have a shot. The nuggets were really bad yet the Thunder struggled against them for a reason.

Struggling against Jokic without a head coach or team was wild.

The paris games showed me two things this year, the Pacers actually have a very balanced team. People sleep on their defense which is actually really good. They have guys who want to play defense and they have defensive anchors looking to make a play.

It also showed me Wemby can absolutely be a superstar type player who can win a game on his own.

We got to get Wemby to the playoffs next year.

[Mr. Body]

The Pacers' actual depth and conditioning let them keep after teams. OKC is more top heavy than we think, or at least so far. Dag needs to shorten the rotation but has to keep his guys fresh somehow.

They're still in the driver's seat. They had the Pacers dead but couldn't finish the job.

[R. DeMurre]

Pacers lost the turnover battle 24-6 lmao! You would have thought they lost this game by 40 if you only saw that stat.

Indiana had the better 3 pt% (46.2 vs 36.7), the better TS% (60.8 vs 50.7), more rebounds (56 vs 39), and more assists (24 vs 13). Same thing-- if you only saw those stats, you'd guess that Indiana would've won big.

[scottspurs]

Any particular reason for this comment? Has he been rumoured to point shave or something.

.

No, early in the game he was playing terrible so it was just a joke. Had 3 early turnovers and missed a couple of shots. Had a bad foul. But ended up having a great game. Hit a bunch of 3’s and was active on defense. It was looking bad early though

[RC_Drunkford]

OKC beat a bunch of teams that can't shoot. The Pacers will punish them if they are left open from 3. Again OKC's defense is designed to shut down the paint, not the 3-point shot. You can beat them if you shoot well.

[RC_Drunkford]

[Dex]

Wow, you may have found the most annoying person on YouTube...and that's a bold statement.

[Strategic]

I didn’t keep up much with the Pacers this season. Seems like Toppin and Methura are the best 2 bench players in this series.

[LeBowen]

Pacers have gone cold.

[CorrectCrusader]

If OKC wins this game it's a gentlemen's sweep.

[Strategic]

Pacers rattled

[Dejounte]

I cringe at the thought of Wemby trying to post up anyone on the Thunder, only for the other midgets to swipe the ball away from him. The Spurs will have no counter if they don’t build around Wemby the right way tbh.

[Strategic]

I cringe at the thought of Wemby trying to post up anyone on the Thunder, only for the other midgets to swipe the ball away from him. The Spurs will have no counter if they don’t build around Wemby the right way tbh.

it’s gonna be up to him to protect the ball. Rather see Wemby turn into a 3 and D guy. Let the ball handlers handle the ball.

[Dejounte]

it’s gonna be up to him to protect the ball. Rather see Wemby turn into a 3 and D guy. Let the ball handlers handle the ball.

Dirk on offense, Wemby on defense is his best path forward. Minimal dribble moves unless it’s a clear path ahead. It might work during the regular season, but in the playoffs, the little guys will feast.

[ace3g]

10:24 - 3rd

	1	2	3	4	T
IND	20	21	5		46
OKC	26	33	3		62

[ace3g]

7:36 - 3rd

	1	2	3	4	T
IND	20	21	13		54
OKC	26	33	9		68

[ace3g]

3:32 - 3rd

	1	2	3	4	T
IND	20	21	23		64
OKC	26	33	24		83

[Strategic]

Nice goaltending

[Strategic]

Someone must’ve told Dagnault to play both bigs together.

[Dejounte]

Caruso and Cason Wallace doing all the rebounding as 6’4” guys.