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OKC lost game 3 and now they are perfectly fine. It took one hell of a 4th qtr from them but that is what you expect from the best team.
The 2025 NBA Finals Thread
- Thread starter Ronin
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Pacers coach stuck with Nesmith too long who was abused by SGA for over 10+ pts. Subbing in Mathurin for him earlier in the 4th might have been right move who was at least a better scorer and not too much under pressure in closing time.
They had to win 1 of the 2 in Indiana to take Home court back. This game 5 will be crucial. I'd say who wins that will win the series.
Mathurin choked, big time, and 3 days to think about that could go either way but he's way too important for Indiana as a bench scorer. He's the guy to watch for Indiana next game, IMO.
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Yeah, it feels like Indy really blew their chance to win it all today. That loss stings a lot more than Game 2. But, that is just a feeling. The shooters they have, you never know when they could get crazy hot.
SGA and Jalen Williams a combined 21-21 from the free-throw line. Wow!
GatorAZ
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What happened to the game I love?
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Phrazbit
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I'm a big fan of Benny but woof. That is an all-time, one player, melt down at the end of a massive game.
Woof.
If the Pacers don't rally and win, this game will stick with him forever.
Woof.
If the Pacers don't rally and win, this game will stick with him forever.
Phrazbit
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Yeah, he is the evolutionary James Harden. He isn't as annoying to watch because he doesn't play slow as molasses, but he is just an enormous foul baiter, he is so hard wired to flop that he will whip his head back if his own teammate bumps him while setting a screen.
BirdGangThing
Murd Watcher
that was so brutal - doubt he slept last night
BirdGangThing
Murd Watcher
i don't see how people aren't appreciating these finals with both teams being resilient and physical - this is some quality basketball not chalk full of 3s it's inside and out tough and gun sprintage
Missing 3 FT's in a row was awful but that off play foul was probably worse than those FT's. You could tell he was in his own head when he did that. That is what allowed real separation in the score also as OKC got 2 FT's and the ball.
Proximo
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The quality of play is certainly better than the regular season, but I am missing the star power.
Nobody is really taking over games. SGA has been a real disappointment, he does not look like an mvp to me.
BirdGangThing
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he did in the 4th quarter last night tho - i had to switch his name back to sga
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Leaving the travel aside, Shai has the most flexible legs I have seen except perhaps Michael Jordan.
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OP
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Stephen A. Smith responds after seen playing solitaire at NBA Finals Game 4
Stephen A. Smith responded after a photo went viral of him playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the NBA Finals Friday.
I don't get this. When a player only plays well in the first half or first 3 quarters then it's said he's not a star because he doesn't step up when the game is on the line. When a player proves himself in the 4th after an average game then he's not a star because he didn't dominate throughout. The game isn't what it was. We don't have Jordan or Kobe out there and even those 2 would look pedestrian on occasions.
However I can see the complaint that the league has done a poor job of marketing the next class of stars as the Curry, KD, Lebron class ages out. There's been Jokic and Luka that's reached star status and there's certainly games where they didn't perform, see where they exited this postseason for examples.
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Agree. The media and NBA has some catching up to do with the new generation of stars and contending teams.
angel_ofthe_south
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To my delight, the Pacers-Thunder finals makes the superteam model look ridiculous. I'm not sorry to see it fade.
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Still think OKC is playing Hartenstein too much he's good but chet matches up better.
Also if they're worried about SGA's minutes and it seems they are, rest him don't take him off the ball so much his strength is on the ball not off the ball.
Also if they're worried about SGA's minutes and it seems they are, rest him don't take him off the ball so much his strength is on the ball not off the ball.
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The other thing is I think OKC is struggling in the bench, largely because Isaiah Joe isn't making shots. he's a lights out shooter, averaged 10 PPG regular season and has 13 points in 4 games in the series, total, only taken 9 shots total.
Seems like Indiana has him scouted really well. he's 5-9 but he's not able to get enough looks like he normally does. Caruso has been terrific but someone else off the bench has to step up if Joe doesn't get more shots
Seems like Indiana has him scouted really well. he's 5-9 but he's not able to get enough looks like he normally does. Caruso has been terrific but someone else off the bench has to step up if Joe doesn't get more shots
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In the last game, Holmgren and Hartenstein both started. It's hard to argue with a road win.
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But with the game on the line who was in? Hartenstein was the only starter with a negative plus minus. I actually like the guy he's good but I think he and Chet together is creating a tough matchup.
Down 1 4 minutes left he goes out, Caruso comes in, they take the lead. He comes back in with 22 seconds left.
it's more me saying Caruso is a great matchup against the pacers than there's something wrong with Hartenstein
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OKC started him for a reason. Maybe that change their mind. It's all about match-ups and adjustments from game to game.
A game is 48 minutes and they won. These teams are well coached and playing quick from a stylistic perspective but they're almost grinding it out possession by possession. It's like watching a good boxing match or MMA fight. They are throwing lots of jabs and feeling each other out. It's been great basketball, IMO.
