₦airaland Forum

This is the most sweat I have seen on the faces of OKC players. That small lineup with Obi at 5 is causing heavy fatigue for the Thunder. Daigneault is subbing almost every 3-5 minutes because they can’t keep up.

A40:
Points in the paint is what's helping them

And Free throws..

SGA has rested enough,he really needs to go hard this 4Q.. But damn Nembhard really do be a pest on him, I didn't realise Andrew is that much of a defensive stalwart

Oh and for those who don't really fancy the mid season NBA cup..

Isn't it weird that we have two beaten finalist of the last two editions in this Finals..

To me it shows that the NBA cup can be an early platform to show a really serious team..

Although I would prefer the NBA cup to be at least extend all the way to before the NBA All star or its finals at the NBA All star wknd.

Starboytwo:
I think I just found my Team. Indiana Pacers.

For a little context, this is my first ever NBA playoffs that I'm following bumper to bumper. I didn't follow regualar season but I've devoted more time to this series than the just concluded Uefa champions league. I also watch the TNT crew for follow up.

However, my first foray into basketball was in 2004. I watched San Antonio spurs and I know Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. (saw him for Argentina also at Athens Olympics) but I don't think I'm Spurs.

I also know Detroit Pistons ONLY because there's a particular guy in that team with a face mask, like Osimhen. I don't know his name, but I vividly remember him... Circa 2004 ish.

But I always support Boston Celtics, partly because green is my favorite color and I have a Larry bird jersey 🤷, however, this series made me realize my love for them is not Organic.

Now to the Pacers. I first saw them against Giannis bucks, then I fell in love against the knicks(maybe because most don't give them a chance) I don't know. But when I watch them I feel it.

So that's it. Basically all my career in the NBA and I'm stanning the Pacers henceforth. Till thy kingdom come.

Funny enough, last week I bought a Pacers mural at the mall. Hanged it in my car.. Didn't plan to, just saw it and I knew I was a Pacers.

Thanks you guys.

All good my guy. Pace yourself sha, you dont want to commit to being a chelsea fan when times were good

The Indiana Pacers is a very good clutch time team.
I hope they can do what they do in the clutch again today.

Diabolical shot selection these last 5 minutes. They're passing wide 3s and stepping into off balance 2s.

Feels like nobody wants it. Absolutely ridiculous way to lose the game and probably these finals

nomorespams:
And Free throws..

SGA has rested enough,he really needs to go hard this 4Q.. But damn Nembhard really do be a pest on him, I didn't realise Andrew is that much of a defensive stalwart

Smart adjustment by the Thunder coach it worked

Mathurin giveth Mathurin taketh. Some players you see one game and wonder why they're on the bench then you see them play again and it becomes clear why

Don't know why people were acting like the series was over after game 3

OKC in 6 by the way

The OKC take game 4 to tie the series 2-2.
OKC 111-104 Pacers.

A 12-1 run in the last 3mins for the OKC.

A40:
Mathurin giveth Mathurin taketh. Some players you see one game and wonder why they're on the bench then you see them play again and it becomes clear why

Am sad for him, he usually is a very good free throw shooter. That's the clutch moment for ya, separates the stars from the norms.

A40:
Mathurin giveth Mathurin taketh. Some players you see one game and wonder why they're on the bench then you see them play again and it becomes clear why

Now I know why he only gets selected minutes.
How can Mathurin go from a monster game 3 to a game spoiling game 4.

He didn't only miss clutch free throws, he also caused unnecessary fouls in the clutch.

A40:
Smart adjustment by the Thunder coach it worked

The Pacers were very flat in the 4Q. It seems they got tired early or just didn't have anyone to be the Man. Hali tried then but yeah..he still is inherently a pass first guard..

2-2..

And now the odds swing mightily back to the OKC..

Thats why he is the MVP......Lit!!!!!!!

aliondo:
Thats why he is the MVP......Lit!!!!!!!

Did you see that shot were it looked like he was falling then quickly he pulled up and shot the middy!

At that point I was like, yep this guy will be a force down the years.

Mid range God!!!

Yo how many mid range superstars do we have presently? Y'all know?

I can only think of Booker rn..

nomorespams:
Am sad for him, he usually is a very good free throw shooter. That's the clutch moment for ya, separates the stars from the norms.

89% free throw shooting coming into that game.

nomorespams:
Did you see that shot were it looked like he was falling then quickly he pulled up and shot the middy!

At that point I was like, yep this guy will be a force down the years.

Mid range God!!!

Yo how many mid range superstars do we have presently? Y'all know?

I can only think of Booker rn..

Dont know if i can still include DeRozan and my gee, the one and only Slim Reaper......

aliondo:
Dont know if i can still include DeRozan and my gee, the one and only Slim Reaper......

DeRozan still led the league in mid range made shots in the 24/25 regular season.
You have to include him.
And KD the slim Reaper is a must to be included too.

nomorespams:
Am sad for him, he usually is a very good free throw shooter. That's the clutch moment for ya, separates the stars from the norms.

Missing free throws just tumbling like a bull in a China shop.

nomorespams:
The Pacers were very flat in the 4Q. It seems they got tired early or just didn't have anyone to be the Man. Hali tried then but yeah..he still is inherently a pass first guard..

2-2..

And now the odds swing mightily back to the OKC..

It's actually the rare occasion where their teamwork, power of friendship offense worked against them. They were doing OK till around 4 minutes left. Where their half court offense completely collapsed.

Turner, Nembhard would be wide open with their feet set behind the 3pt line. They will then dribble and take a long off balance two. Normally I frown on 3pt spamming but taking off balance 2's is pointless when you're not a MJ or SGA with superior middy game. Might as well take the 3

This indecision is what hurt them late in the game

Ridwan1821:
Now I know why he only gets selected minutes.
How can Mathurin go from a monster game 3 to a game spoiling game 4.

He didn't only miss clutch free throws, he also caused unnecessary fouls in the clutch.

Missing 3. And he's normally a good free throw shooter.

With a good performance he would have been looking at starter money elsewhere in free agency but inconsistency

A40:
Missing 3. And he's normally a good free throw shooter.

With a good performance he would have been looking at starter money elsewhere in free agency but inconsistency

He was an 89% free throw shooter coming into this game.
I was confident he was going to score.
Some players get tensed in the clutch.

aliondo:
Dont know if i can still include DeRozan and my gee, the one and only Slim Reaper......

Oh snap! How can I forget DeRozan, Durant... especially DeRozan.. DeRozan is my guy, love him!

aliondo:
Dont know if i can still include DeRozan and my gee, the one and only Slim Reaper......

That list is incomplete without the Slim Reaper.

The Magic just traded for Bane from the Grizzlies. A very strong move that makes them better. He shoots the 3 ball at 40% which will help the Magic stretch their offense, something they struggled with last season. He is also a hard nose defender. Overall a good pick for the Magic.

Roland17:
The Magic just traded for Bane from the Grizzlies. A very strong move that makes them better. He shoots the 3 ball at 40% which will help the Magic stretch their offense, something they struggled with last season. He is also a hard nose defender. Overall a good pick for the Magic.

Yeah it's a very good move from them considering they've been at the lower parts of the 3pt shooting percentage and attempts for like the past 4-5 years or so.. but if they can also add another at least 35% 3 point shooter that would at least really make them solid in the 3pt game.

Infact KCP was supposed to alleviate those concerns last 2 years when gotten from Denver but he was so-so last year with those metrics and this season he was completely invisible.

My main question tho is what's Memphis plan with JJJ and Morant? Cos like are they tryna rebuild or they gonna add another strong piece cos it doesn't make sense to have those two on a rebuilding team..

nomorespams:
Yeah it's a very good move from them considering they've been at the lower parts of the 3pt shooting percentage and attempts for like the past 4-5 years or so.. but if they can also add another at least 35% 3 point shooter that would at least really make them solid in the 3pt game.

Infact KCP was supposed to alleviate those concerns last 2 years when gotten from Denver but he was so-so last year with those metrics and this season he was completely invisible.

My main question tho is what's Memphis plan with JJJ and Morant? Cos like are they tryna rebuild or they gonna add another strong piece cos it doesn't make sense to have those two on a rebuilding team..

How they handle JJJ's expiring contract renewal talks this summer will give us a clue on what they plan to do. JJJ will be looking to get paid as well. Teams like Lakers and Warriors are circling. With Bane's contract out of the way, they can restructure and extend JJJ contract. If they extend him, then they may find pieces to build around him and Ja with picks gotten from Bane's trade. If you ask me, I say they blow this thing up because a core of Ja & JJJ isn't going to cut it. Lets see what the GM has because this is pivotal for the franchise.

Pivotal game. Halibooty no points. If somehow Pacers steal this game I no wan hear about any MVP talks.

This guy gets carried night in night out

Overpaying non elite players like Bane, JJJ is suicide for teams like Memphis.. Fortunately you have desperate teams like the Magic that would give away 4 picks for a Bane

Paying the max is cool for guys that are championship threats not players somewhat above average that keep you in purgatory

This OKC defense no come play today. They are also dictating the pace, forcing the Pacers to play half court offense. The Pacers to speed this up if they want to get anything out of this game.

And who is this Bradley dude? Rick Carlisle taking this depth shit too far.