The 2025 NBA Finals Thread

[Hoop Head]

must win game for the knicks come up clutch - kat brought'em back brunson finished them off

McBride gave them momentum and KAT finally showed up. He was a no show for 3 quarters.

 

[Mainstreet]

Knicks come back to win in Indiana, cutting Pacers series lead to 2-1.

 

[Mainstreet]

Got to make this series go more than 4 games. Their last standing media darling can't leave like that.

IMO, that foul called on Bridges was weak in such a physical game.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

geez they've only dropped 2 games so far - but might lose game 3 lol

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once again the pacers win the first two games but lose the third - if i were a betting man

 

[ajcardfan]

Got to make this series go more than 4 games. Their last standing media darling can't leave like that.

It was called on Bridges. So, the opposite of your take. It's as if they wanted it to end in 4.

 

[Hoop Head]

It was called on Bridges. So, the opposite of your take. It's as if they wanted it to end in 4.

Admittedly, I missed it. I am glad I was wrong. Surprised Bridges did something worth a T. I had to hit the head and missed whatever happened. I knew NY was leading when I left and still leading when I returned.

 

[ajcardfan]

I think the end of the first half is actually where the Knicks gave themselves a chance in this game.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the end of the first half is actually where the Knicks gave themselves a chance in this game.

Maybe. They were getting smacked around most of the 3rd though. When McBride came in with like 2 minutes to go they cut it to a single digit deficit before Indiana got it back to 10 to end the quarter. There was like 9-0 run, I believe though at the end if the 3rd.

 

[ajcardfan]

Maybe. They were getting smacked around most of the 3rd though. When McBride came in with like 2 minutes to go they cut it to a single digit deficit before Indiana got it back to 10 to end the quarter. There was like 9-0 run, I believe though at the end if the 3rd.

Oh yeah, they definitely still had to get a big 4th qtr. But they were down 18 with their best players on the bench and they wound up down by 13 instead of 20+. Psychologically, that is a huge difference.

 

[Russ Smith]

weird game I really like Siakam but he was the worst guy on the floor for the Pacers tonigh -21 in 35 minutes, THe guy who often replaces him, Toppin, was plus 19 in only 14 minutes.

They couldn't guard KAT in the 4th but I also think as I said earlier the unusually bad minutes from McConnell really hurt Indiana, they had to rest Haliburton and when they did the lead shrunk quickly. McConnell was only -6 but it was a bad run for him there.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Supremely entertaining playoffs continue.

 

[Hoop Head]

Supremely entertaining playoffs continue.

Even if a lower seed like Minnesota or Indiana takes it, they 100% earned it. These games have been excellent.

 

[Superbone]

KAT has disappeared this series. A complete non factor.

He says hold my beer.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Even if a lower seed like Minnesota or Indiana takes it, they 100% earned it. These games have been excellent.

I agree they've all earned it. Indiana ran into some timely good luck with Cleveland's injuries but they would have been much higher seeded if they hadn't been so banged up the first part of the season. They started out 15-17 but went 35 and 15 the rest of the way - that's a .700 winning percentage over the final 50 games which would have given them the 3rd best record in the league if they'd played like that all year.

 

[Hoop Head]

He says hold my beer.

Indeed he did. He stepped up.

 

[Proximo]

Knicks come back to win in Indiana, cutting Pacers series lead to 2-1.

It felt like the Knicks might have figured the Pacers out defensively in the second half. Going to be interesting to see if that caries over.

I have to say I find myself rooting for the Knicks over all the other teams.

 

[Proximo]

Supremely entertaining playoffs continue.

I think supremely is an overstatement. In fact I am often quite bored watching the OKC / Minnesota series.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think supremely is an overstatement. In fact I am often quite bored watching the OKC / Minnesota series.

That’s interesting. I can’t recall as many close games as has been the case this year. I can’t recall many playoffs that have captured my attention this much in the absence of the suns participation in the past 10 years.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That’s interesting. I can’t recall as many close games as has been the case this year. I can’t recall many playoffs that have captured my attention this much in the absence of the suns participation in the past 10 years.

Nor can I. This postseason has been as entertaining for me as I can remember. Granted it's a low bar given that I usually pay very little attention to the postseason if the Suns aren't playing but this one has me glued to the TV.

 

[Mainstreet]

It felt like the Knicks might have figured the Pacers out defensively in the second half. Going to be interesting to see if that caries over.

I have to say I find myself rooting for the Knicks over all the other teams.

I find myself rooting for the Knicks as well and it's not just because Bridges and Payne play on the team.

There is something gritty that Brunson brings to the team and how they are built.

Also, Halliburton is so good for the Pacers. I keep thinking about what could have been.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nor can I. This postseason has been as entertaining for me as I can remember. Granted it's a low bar given that I usually pay very little attention to the postseason if the Suns aren't playing but this one has me glued to the TV.

The Finals are going to be off the chart. The Eastern teams are especially exciting to watch.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Finals are going to be off the chart. The Eastern teams are especially exciting to watch.

Yeah. Mikal is still a favorite of mine, enough so that I can get over the fact I'm even sort of cheering for the Knicks. And I haven't done that since the KJ/Greg Anthony incident. With Indiana, Haliburton is a lot of fun to watch plus there's the UA connection with Mathurin and TJ. I like seeing Dort do well but that's about the only Arizona connection in the West.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yeah. Mikal is still a favorite of mine, enough so that I can get over the fact I'm even sort of cheering for the Knicks. And I haven't done that since the KJ/Greg Anthony incident. With Indiana, Haliburton is a lot of fun to watch plus there's the UA connection with Mathurin and TJ. I like seeing Dort do well but that's about the only Arizona connection in the West.

Jalen Williams went to high school here in Gilbert, AZ before going to Santa Clara for college. Despite being an All-Star he's sort of OKC's Mikal Bridges in that he's their 3rd guy in the pecking order and flies under the radar.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jalen Williams went to high school here in Gilbert, AZ before going to Santa Clara for college. Despite being an All-Star he's sort of OKC's Mikal Bridges in that he's their 3rd guy in the pecking order and flies under the radar.

I've seen Jalen Williams name mentioned in trade rumors, but I'm not sure why. He is an excellent player.

 

[Hoop Head]

I've seen Jalen Williams name mentioned in trade rumors, but I'm not sure why. He is an excellent player.

He's their Mikal Bridges/Shawn Marion. The guy who picks up the slack but doesn't get credit for that until he's not there. He's also a cheap salary. I think he's eligible for an extension this off season as well. Presti could probably replace him with their 49 picks over the next couple of seasons but if he's paid attention then he'll run it back again before dangling him for an established #2 to bump Chet down a little.