2025 NBA Finals: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

[thunderc]

Is OKC better than last year Boston team?

I guess we don’t get to find that out.

 

[fightinfunbags]

How badly does Walker getting hirt bother them? I can’t imagine him playing for a few games.

He’s like a 12-13 minute guy. Not sure his loss is impactful either way.

 

[bksballer89]

True. Heck, in 2023, the Lakers got swept by the Nuggets, but it was still a competitive series because 3 of the 4 games were decided by 6 points or less. The Nugs did a better job closing out those games.

This series seems likely to be very similar. I think the Pacers can match OKC offensively and that should allow them to keep the games close...but OKC's advantage on defense will be the deciding factor down the stretch in most of those games.

Yep it def something that happens often enough where I didn't think my comment would be such a hot take

Just went back and looked at the Indy/Bos series from last season. Indy had a lead in 3 of the 4 games with under 3 to go and still got swept lol

 

[bksballer89]

I guess we don’t get to find that out.

I'm only asking because Indy played that Boston team really well and they improved as a team since last year. Just did a poor job of winning close games which they got better at this season

 

[bksballer89]

He’s like a 12-13 minute guy. Not sure his loss is impactful either way.

He is literally like their 11th guy lol not a bad player from the times I saw but wasn't a guy that was a lock to get minutes

 

[bksballer89]

Indy going to need Mathurin to actually be consistent this series

 

[bksballer89]

I know they're not the same player but I would give Nembhard the first crack at SGA. He did better against Brunson than Nesmith even though he is smaller

 

[thunderc]

He is literally like their 11th guy lol not a bad player from the times I saw but wasn't a guy that was a lock to get minutes

He just seemed like a guy that could bring physicality that others on that team can’t. I was expecting something out of him.

 

[fightinfunbags]

I know they're not the same player but I would give Nembhard the first crack at SGA. He did better against Brunson than Nesmith even though he is smaller

What did the two regular season meetings look like? I know it’s just regular season but sometimes those games can shed light on matchups

 

[thunderc]

What did the two regular season meetings look like? I know it’s just regular season but sometimes those games can shed light on matchups

It just so happens I posted this earlier

Looking back at the 2 matchups between Thunder, Pacers before 2025 NBA Finals

Looking back at the 2 matchups between Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers before 2025 NBA Finals.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[bksballer89]

What did the two regular season meetings look like? I know it’s just regular season but sometimes those games can shed light on matchups

SGA destroyed them lol but I am not a Pacers or OKC fan so I'm going by box score only as I didn't watch. No clue who guarded SGA but Nesmith did miss 1 of the games

 

[bksballer89]

It just so happens I posted this earlier

Looking back at the 2 matchups between Thunder, Pacers before 2025 NBA Finals

Looking back at the 2 matchups between Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers before 2025 NBA Finals.

sports.yahoo.com

Doesn't tell me what I need to know though like who was the primary matchup for SGA

 

[bksballer89]

I know its hard to do for a full 7 game series but I would like to see Indy pickup SGA full court as they did with the Knicks all game last night. Can help their defense if OKC is getting into their offense with 15 or 16 on the shot clock instead of 20

 

[thunderc]

Doesn't tell me what I need to know though like who was the primary matchup for SGA

This says Nemhard was the primary defender

2025 NBA Finals: It's Pacers-Thunder! Here are three things to know about the unexpected matchup

Why Indiana vs. Oklahoma City could be a fun and feisty series.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[thunderc]

I see Toppin as a very important guy in this series.

 

[bksballer89]

One thing I like about Indy is they don't switch much. I always been against the automatic switching that most teams do.

Switching should only be done if you don't feel at a disadvantage when you switch

 

[fightinfunbags]

I know its hard to do for a full 7 game series but I would like to see Indy pickup SGA full court as they did with the Knicks all game last night. Can help their defense if OKC is getting into their offense with 15 or 16 on the shot clock instead of 20

Sounds like you’re calling for Nolan Richardson 40 Minutes of Hell type of game plan considering how Pacers already like to play offense.

 

[msgkings322]

Sounds like you’re calling for Nolan Richardson 40 Minutes of Hell type of game plan considering how Pacers already like to play offense.

Problem is OKC will just crush the other 8 minutes

 

[Mebert]

I don't think any of the Pacers options on defense are better than McDaniels, NAW, and Dante for gaurding SGA. They had 1 game where it really seemed to get to him.

I have OKC in 5.

 

[bksballer89]

I don't think any of the Pacers options on defense are better than McDaniels, NAW, and Dante for gaurding SGA. They had 1 game where it really seemed to get to him.

I have OKC in 5.

You’re not stopping or slowing SGA down. Slowing down the supporting cast is more realistic