NBA: *** 2024 NBA thread ***

[HFCS]

Siakem didn't have a single bad game. Haliburton did have a single bad game.

Neither were great in game 5 but Haliburton was worse. They both had 3 games carrying team where the team gets trucked without them.

I like it because this stuff clearly motivates him and their only chance to beat OKC is the transition scoring he initiates. It’s also the main reason they closed game 6 which is why it was silly to not vote him mvp…but again I like it big picture.

 

[Cyclones01]

I wanted Hali to win it, but I can't be upset with Siakam getting it either. They were both deserving. More importantly, they received the most important trophy last night.

 

[HFCS]

Pacers were 20-1 odds to win east to start year.

What a fantastic bet for a team that made ECF a year ago despite significant injuries and brought back the entire team. I’d have guessed more like 8-1 or 10-1.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

65K views · 1.3K reactions | Pacers ELIMINATE The Knicks ft. Triple H! | Shady00018

Pacers ELIMINATE The Knicks ft. Triple H!.

www.facebook.com

 

[HFCS]

Thunder in 5 seems the common pick and for a 68 win team it’s not crazy. 2 wins at home, split on road, win game 5.

The thing is the Pacers seemed to clearly be the top team in East, if the pick is Thunder in 5 all these media pundits would’ve picked a sweep of NY, Boston or Cleveland?

The only thing that would shock me is a sweep by either team. If I was really going to predict I want to know how Nesmith’s ankle is feeling in a few days, to a lesser extent Walker’s ankle who might have only given 3-5 mpg healthy. Nesmith healthy to defend SGA is massive, if he’s actually hurt I’d probably pick Thunder in 5 too even as a pacers homer.

 

[LindenCy]

Had to read the last 10ish pages just for therapy here...man the way that game was called last night, especially the first half, was criminal. Towns and Brunson are great athletes and have skill, but their whole game is based on ramming into the opponent and putting up layups. Towns keeps doing the arm swim as was mentioned. The game was called so unevenly. The groin shots were pretty blatant too, especially the second one.

That said, glad the Pacers won and hope they make a series of it vs OKC. It should be beautiful basketball either way if the offenses are rolling.

 

[Pope]

Thunder in 5 seems the common pick and for a 68 win team it’s not crazy. 2 wins at home, split on road, win game 5.

The thing is the Pacers seemed to clearly be the top team in East, if the pick is Thunder in 5 all these media pundits would’ve picked a sweep of NY, Boston or Cleveland?

The only thing that would shock me is a sweep by either team. If I was really going to predict I want to know how Nesmith’s ankle is feeling in a few days, to a lesser extent Walker’s ankle who might have only given 3-5 mpg healthy. Nesmith healthy to defend SGA is massive, if he’s actually hurt I’d probably pick Thunder in 5 too even as a pacers homer.

Pacers need to steal game 1 of the series as they did in Cleveland and New York. Don't know if they can, but it's gonna be fun to watch.

 

[Nothingman]

Pacers need to steal game 1 of the series as they did in Cleveland and New York. Don't know if they can, but it's gonna be fun to watch.

They’ve been amazing on the road. I think they get at least one of the first two on the road. I think there’s a better chance they get two than none of the first two games in OKC.

 

[FerShizzle]

these teams played twice this year and OKC won both. Hopefullly the pacers can play with a chip on their shoulders.

 

[HFCS]

Had to read the last 10ish pages just for therapy here...man the way that game was called last night, especially the first half, was criminal. Towns and Brunson are great athletes and have skill, but their whole game is based on ramming into the opponent and putting up layups. Towns keeps doing the arm swim as was mentioned. The game was called so unevenly. The groin shots were pretty blatant too, especially the second one.

That said, glad the Pacers won and hope they make a series of it vs OKC. It should be beautiful basketball either way if the offenses are rolling.

Yeah having SEVERAL times where the Knicks took a knee someone's balls or gut and the foul is on the guy taking the knee. The one where they reviewed it and ruled it fine was probably the worst NBA replay I've seen, NBA replay has been pretty good since they tweaked the system.

Luckily the Pacers were able to run in second half and it's much harder for that sort of bs when they're flying down the court.

 

[HFCS]

these teams played twice this year and OKC won both. Hopefullly the pacers can play with a chip on their shoulders.

OKC was 29-1 against entire east this year, you just have to laugh at that. That's ludicrous.

 

[bozclone]

I think it is going to be a great series. The national media has been doubting the Pacers every step of the way. Just another opportunity to show them how good this team is. Pacers need Turner and Nembhard to shoot better than the last series. They have been great most of the year.

 

[FerShizzle]

OKC was 29-1 against entire east this year, you just have to laugh at that. That's ludicrous.

OKCs style sure runs it up in the regular season. Few teams match their intensity during that part of the season.

The pacers have the luxury of being able to put their best defender on OKCs best offensive player. And they just spent a whole series combatting a free throw merchant.

 

[ClonerJams]

Late on this since it was after game 5, but Siakam was great in this exchange.


Same energy

 

[HFCS]

Late on this since it was after game 5, but Siakam was great in this exchange.


Same energy

It’s the same reporter who was creepy perv on Caitlyn Clark.

 

[cloneclone]

I just don't see the Pacers getting more than 1. Tyrese still struggles creating space on his own against plus defenders, and OKC has 2 of the best defensive guards in the league in Caruso and Dort. I think he's going to struggle, and the team goes as he goes.

 

[ClonerJams]

It’s the same reporter who was creepy perv on Caitlyn Clark.

Yup, Greg Doyle

 

[NorthCyd]

Interesting breakdown of the Pacers offense.

 

[HFCS]

 

[MJ271]

Interesting breakdown of the Pacers offense.

I was going to post this video if someone hadn't already. It's really great.

I like how the video goes in depth on how they play fast--but not necessarily fast in the sense that they always run the court and take a really quick shot (though they sometimes do that as well and did it a ton in the Knicks series)--but fast in the sense that every decision is made quickly and there are always players working to get a better shot. Sometimes that means sprinting down the court and getting a basket just seconds after the rebound or inbounds pass. Sometimes that means running a ton of actions before scoring with just a couple of seconds left on the shot clock.


I want to be confident and hopeful in the Pacers against the Thunder, but I'm having a tough time doing so. It just seems to me that the matchup advantages the Pacers typically have are lost against the Thunder. Tyrese is going to need to play very well and be assertive. The Thunder are too deep for Tyrese to step back and let the Pacers play 4 on 4.