The 2025 NBA Finals Thread

Cheesebeef

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@Crimson Warrior curious what you thought of the decision to go small and usually only have one big on the court during the game. I was surprised that a 68 win dominant team adjusted their game to a lower seed/underdog right off the bat.
 

Crimson Warrior

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@Crimson Warrior curious what you thought of the decision to go small and usually only have one big on the court during the game. I was surprised that a 68 win dominant team adjusted their game to a lower seed/underdog right off the bat.

I mean, we win a million regular season games and a western conference championship with a certain line up, and so the obvious move then is to change that line up for the finals? Is that what Daigneault is thinking?

Seems pretty dubious to me Cheese.
 

Proximo

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That's pretty impressive, that that doesn't really tell me that the Pacers are good, but that bookmakers are morons.
That's not the bookmakers, that's the odds within the game based on historical records.
 

Cheesebeef

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I mean, we win a million regular season games and a western conference championship with a certain line up, and so the obvious move then is to change that line up for the finals? Is that what Daigneault is thinking?

Seems pretty dubious to me Cheese.

It was curious… but at the same time, it did wreak havoc on the Pacers, stifling them for most of the game so I’m torn on the move. When you’re that dominant all year, I tend to believe you force the other teams to bend to your will. But who knows with this bonkers run Indiana is on.

I’m super curious to see what his coaching response is in Game 2.
 

Hoop Head

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Found this interesting from Spotrac, this is the first NBA finals not to feature a team paying luxury tax.

Both the Pacers and Thunder are non-taxpayers. This is the first time the NBA Finals has featured a matchup where neither team paid the luxury tax to get there.

The NBA instituted the luxury tax system for the 2001-02 season. However, that first season and the 2005-05 season did not meet sufficient BRI requirements to trigger the luxury tax.

In each of the other 21 NBA Finals, either the winning or losing team was a taxpayer in that season. Of those 21 NBA Finals, 16 of the winning teams were taxpayers. Somewhat surprisingly, only five NBA Finals featured matchups where both teams were taxpayers.

 

BirdGangThing

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okc needs one of their signature blow out games - they did good in tight games against denver but indiana is too crazy in the final minutes
 

Mainstreet

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Looks like Myles Turner is happy he will be paid the way he is playing.

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Mainstreet

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Thomas Bryant of the Pacers goal tended with his hand inside the cylinder, but it was not called.
 

Mainstreet

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OKC can't get tentative with their shooting tonight, but it looks like they have learned.
 

Hoop Head

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The series is tied 1-1 as they go back to Indiana for game three on Wednesday. Thunder win 123-107.

OKC is so well coached. They're poised and don't get caught up in outside narratives. Today's win was more impressive than their follow up after being blown out. They just keep their heads down and grind through while applying new things they didn't do the last outing. It'll be extremely hard to take them out in a 7 game series. Indiana is positioned to do so since they won game 1 and can get away trading wins here on out but I would be surprised if OKC allows to steal another.
 

Proximo

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OKC has actually won 90% of the time played, but Indy's ability to lock in in the forth still makes them dangerous.

Next game probably determines whether this series goes 5 for OKC or 7.
 

Crimson Warrior

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OKC has actually won 90% of the time played, but Indy's ability to lock in in the forth still makes them dangerous.

Next game probably determines whether this series goes 5 for OKC or 7.
I bet INDs field goal % in Q4 of playoff games is off the charts. It feels like they are 20 for 20 from three in these 1st two games of the finals.
 

Hoop Head

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A huge factor in the last game was OKC took away the open corner three from the Pacers.

I'd add how Caruso was essentially Haliburton's shadow also. I hated Caruso on the Lakers but not because he was a Laker but because he was a pitbull on defense. He's exactly the sort of 6th man a legit contender has. He needs to do that 3 more times and he's definitely capable. I think Hali is likely to get Indiana one more win though, somehow. Either off day for Caruso or foul trouble will give him some air.
 
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