'25 NBA Final thread

[Tom McAndrew]

wow, if Game 1 is a sample of what's to come, this will be an awesome series.

A great final 5 minutes of basketball, with the Pacers taking the lead with 0.3 sec left, on a shot by Haliburton (who else).

111-110, Pacers, with the game played at Oklahoma City.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[LionJim]

I went to bed thinking that OKC had this well in hand.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

The unsinkable Pacers don’t need the lead. They just need the last word | Claire de Lune

Indiana didn’t lead for 47 minutes and 59.7 seconds of Thursday’s NBA finals opener. But belief, defiance and Tyrese Haliburton’s dramatic flair made the final 0.3 count

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Why Tyrese Haliburton's superstar ascension actually began three years ago

On a random Saturday in January 2022, the Pacers' star guard was issued a challenge. He met it -- and his rise began.

www.espn.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

You're more likely to be struck by lightning than the Pacers were to win their playoff comebacks

Indiana has become the master of the come-from-behind victory in the 2025 postseason, pulling off at least one miracle in each round.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Alphabets]

You're more likely to be struck by lightning than the Pacers were to win their playoff comebacks

Indiana has become the master of the come-from-behind victory in the 2025 postseason, pulling off at least one miracle in each round.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Oklahoma took control in the 2nd quarter. The Pacers made some runs in the 2nd half, but never came close to one of their patented comebacks. Haliburton was uncharacteristically cold from 3-point land.

Final: 123-107, Oklahoma City Thunder

Series tied, 1-1

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Game 3 has been riveting in the 1st half. Both teams are really going at it. 64-60, Pacers, at the half.

Great D shown by both teams in the 1st half. As such, no lead is really safe, and neither team has an advantage. If there is any advantage, it's probably the Thunder, as 3 Pacer starters picked up 3 fouls in the 1st half.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

3rd period was pretty even, and then the Thunder scored the last 5 points to lead 89-84.

Still anybody's game, and some elite plays being made by both teams.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

great 4th quarter by the Pacers. They take Game 3, 116-107, to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game 4 is Friday night.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers top Thunder in NBA Finals Game 3

Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points, leading a Pacers team that enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points, as Indiana reclaimed the lead in the NBA Finals by beating Oklahoma City 116-107 in Game 3.

www.espn.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Pacers fell apart in the last two minutes, and kind of gave the game away.

111-104, Oklahoma City

2-2 in the series

 

[LionJim]

OKC played some remarkable team defense, won on the road despite shooting 3-17 from three.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Pacers rout Thunder, force first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016 — NBC News

Despite an injury to star Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana routed Oklahoma City, 108-91, to stave off elimination.

apple.news

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Alphalion75]

I didn't know the NBA was still in existence.

 

[rudedude]

Haliburton blew out his Achilles in the first quarter

 

[BobPSU92]

I still say the nba is garbage.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Thunder win NBA Finals in Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC to first title, Pacers falter without star

The Pacers lost Tyrese Haliburton to an early injury and OKC captured its first title since relocating from Seattle

www.cbssports.com

 

[LionJim]

I didn't know the NBA was still in existence.

It is, and it’s spectacular.

 

[LionJim]

When Chet Holmgren is your third-best player you’re a damn good team. Does everything well, guards the three point line with a vengeance. 37.9% on threes, 60% on twos, 7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks a game. Oklahoma City’s defense was crazy good. I don’t like the team all that much, their style of play isn’t up my alley, but they play smart and hard.

Really feeling bad for Indiana.

 

[Alphalion75]

It is, and it’s spectacular.

I've lost interest in the NBA. At one time I was a huge fan of the Walt Frazier, Willis Reed Knicks and then later, the Charles Barkley Sixers. But its been years since I've actually watched an NBA game. I enjoyed the NBA when it was more a finesse game over the contact sport its become.

 

[Bison13]

When Chet Holmgren is your third-best player you’re a damn good team. Does everything well, guards the three point line with a vengeance. 37.9% on threes, 60% on twos, 7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks a game. Oklahoma City’s defense was crazy good. I don’t like the team all that much, their style of play isn’t up my alley, but they play smart and hard.

Really feeling bad for Indiana.

Holmgren did his job defensively last night, but I think he’s one of the most overrated players in the league. he did not shoot particularly well during the playoffs and does not create any offense for anyone other than himself. He’s also not very good defensively other than blocking shots, but he gets to play with SGA who makes everyone look much better.