[East] 2025 Playoffs, Conference Finals

[ESP47]

There was also a lot of luck on those Nesmith threes.

 

[Tizzy Flip]

There was also a lot of luck on those Nesmith threes.

At what point does it stop being luck when they’ve come back from huge deficits in each of their series and multiple times during the season? I see it as mindset and coaching

 

[iowamcnabb]

The only thing that could beat you is a barrage of threes. They made their last 7 shots in regulation. Probably a bit of both, luck and great shot making.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

There was also a lot of luck on those Nesmith threes.

At what point does it stop being luck when they’ve come back from huge deficits in each of their series and multiple times during the season? I see it as mindset and coaching

Nesmith is a solid 3pt shooter. I wouldn't necessarily call his overall performance "lucky" (sure, maybe a couple of his makes were "lucky"). Shooters like him just periodically have themselves a night like the one he had last night. Nothing about that is luck. When a shooter is rolling, a shooter is rolling, and any shot they take just goes in.

If Nesmith were nowhere close to being a 3pt shooter, I'd agree that there was a lot of luck, but the dude's actually a solid 3pt shooter.

 

[dude12]

Pacers ran the trap on Brunson with lengthy guys and he struggled at the end. Similar to what teams have done with Curry. Smaller PGs, run trap with length to disrupt and get ball out of their hands. Up to Thibbs and staff to come up with a plan to counter

 

[forza kings]

I am curious, was there a possibility of trading Fox rather than Hali and still get Domas during the trade discussions?

 

[ESP47]

At what point does it stop being luck when they’ve come back from huge deficits in each of their series and multiple times during the season? I see it as mindset and coaching

Nesmith is a solid 3pt shooter. I wouldn't necessarily call his overall performance "lucky" (sure, maybe a couple of his makes were "lucky"). Shooters like him just periodically have themselves a night like the one he had last night. Nothing about that is luck. When a shooter is rolling, a shooter is rolling, and any shot they take just goes in.

If Nesmith were nowhere close to being a 3pt shooter, I'd agree that there was a lot of luck, but the dude's actually a solid 3pt shooter.

He was ripping them from every and any angle. I'm not saying he's not a solid shooter but no player can do what he did in the final minutes without some luck on their side.

 

[LoungeLizard]

I am curious, was there a possibility of trading Fox rather than Hali and still get Domas during the trade discussions?

By all accounts I have read and heard, Pacers were not interested in a deal involving Fox.

 

[sactowndog]

I am curious, was there a possibility of trading Fox rather than Hali and still get Domas during the trade discussions?

Nope but there was a possibility of trading Barnes for Nesmith. Crazy to think both Hali and Nesmith could easily been Kings right now.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Nope but there was a possibility of trading Barnes for Nesmith. Crazy to think both Hali and Nesmith could easily been Kings right now.

I have a clear memory of some who were mocking the idea of Nesmith being anything significant to think about in a trade. Yikes

 

[sactowndog]

I have a clear memory of some who were mocking the idea of Nesmith being anything significant to think about in a trade. Yikes

Yeah and we would have gotten a 1st to go with it.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Welp, I still got ten minutes until the Aces game starts, let me see what Game 2 is hitting on?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

And I tune in and immediately see Tony Bradley on the free throw line in a one-point game:

 

[iowamcnabb]

Hell of a game, new yawk on the ropes. I’ve kinda found myself rooting for the Knicks because they have mostly sucked and have a passionate fan base. At this point I want whoever has the best chance to beat the Thunder. It would be a real bummer if the East and West Finals are 4-1 and the championship is 4-0 or 4-1. Too good of a playoffs this season to go out like that.

 

[sactowndog]

He’ll of a game, new yawk in the ropes. I’ve kinda found myself rooting for the Knicks because they have mostly sucked and have a passionate fan base. At this point I want whoever has the best chance to beat the Thunder. It would be a real bummer if the East and West Finals are 4-1 and the championship is 4-0 or 4-1. Too good of a playoffs this season to go out like that.

My kids live in St Paul (Minneapolis) and Westfield (Indianapolis). Hoping for a TWolves - Pacers finals.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

When the Knickerbockers lose, the rest of us all win. Great game for the Pacers! Definitely not playing like a 4 seed at all this postseason.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

Hell of a game, new yawk on the ropes. I’ve kinda found myself rooting for the Knicks because they have mostly sucked and have a passionate fan base. At this point I want whoever has the best chance to beat the Thunder. It would be a real bummer if the East and West Finals are 4-1 and the championship is 4-0 or 4-1. Too good of a playoffs this season to go out like that.

No one's beating the Thunder this year in a 7-game series UNLESS all of the wheels come off.
With that being said, at this very moment in time, I think the Pacers definitely would have a better shot at taking them down. Especially based on the way that they've been playing throughout the postseason.
Also, regardless of who goes from the East, I'd be shocked if the NBA Finals end in a 4-0 sweep or 4-1 victory. That bad boy's going 6 games, AT LEAST.

 

[kingsboi]

another great game between the two. Siakam providing that championship performance for Indy

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

Gonna root hard for the Pacers, but I think the Knicks are the better team, and will edge them out in the end. Not quite sure about the number of games, though, so my official vote will have to come later...

Knickerbockers in 6 is my final prediction, but...
LET'S GO PACERS!!!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think, when posting these comments (and casting my vote in the poll) that the Pacers would be flying back to Indianapolis with a 2-0 lead.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Is the nba shirt on officials how the **** is Scott foster calling another game

 

[Joshyjosh31]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926829385920680014

This has to be one of the worst calls of all time

 

[kingsboi]

for a while there it looked like RIP to the Knicks but they hung in there and kept chip chip chip at it. Pacers offense is so bi-polar. when their on, it's a done deal

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926829385920680014

This has to be one of the worst calls of all time

If you actually think that was one of the worst calls of all time, you haven't watched enough basketball in your life.
(Note: I am not trying to imply that they got the call right, because they obviously did not, but...It's kind of a stretch to consider it one of the worst of all time...)

Also...keep in mind that referees don't have the luxury of slowing down the play in real time and, as we've seen time and time again, a play that is slowed down by replay can, and most of the time does, look completely different than it did in real time.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

I can't believe Indiana just did that. Terrible!!!

 

[coolhandluke]

When Big Sawfty shreds your defense in the clutch...

Apparently the key to winning is to get down by double digits on the road.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926912291779334567

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Kenny with the high heat:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926814203668533707

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1927453991459262686

I refuse to believe that the NBA will let a team led by a man who dresses like some cross between Seth Rollins and Pat McAfee reach the finals haha

 

[Tetsujin]

Bold Mike Brown style vibes challenge by Carlisle that doesn’t pan out lol

 

[Tetsujin]

Pacers with the hack-a-Knick strategy tonight apparently