The Official 2025 NBA Finals Thread: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

Agreed. People complaining that the refs cost Indy the game need to stop crying. Indy didn't make shots down the stretch. Just like OKC didn't make them in game one. I saw one maybe two borderline calls for SGA. Even, then replay shows that there was a foul. It is the finals, a team can't be so fragile that you can't overcome a couple of close calls.

This feels like it is going seven. Talk of Indy blowing their chances and they are done is silly. Indy has all the chance in the world to win this. These playoffs has shown that. I haven't seen a lot of arms up complaining by these teams, so that is a big refreshing at least. Always will be some, but players are moving on quickly.

Rewatched the game and I agree with this somewhat. Scott Foster did kind of Rian Johnson this series (Star wars ep. 8 reference). Through 3 games it had been officiated a certain way, and he threw that out the window. Indisputable that he disrupted the flow of the game with more whistles (for contact that wasn’t called in games 1-3), random extended stoppages, changed criteria for flagrant 1 etc. Until the 4th quarter, I also think he allowed OKC’s defense to play with a greater physicality than Indiana. Caruso and Dort were getting away with the same level of contact on and off ball being whistled on Indiana. But I think the bigger thing was that the lower threshold for whistles really slowed down the pace of the game and disrupted rhythm which was more advantageous to OKC. Maybe not intentional, but an unintended consequence of how this game was called. Games 1-3 were all around 2:30 duration…G4 was 2:49, almost 20 minutes longer (12.5% longer).

Ultimately I agree Indiana just missed shots late, some of which were open. I disagree this series isn’t over, as much as I’d like Indiana to win. OKC at home is just massively different from OKC on the road—all the advanced metrics support this. Still going to watch of course.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by MJGOAT23

The more I watch him the less I like. Yes, he's lethal from midrange but he really only gets the separation with that off arm push off.

They really dissed Nesmith with those calls. He is gonna have a heck of chip on his shoulder going into G5. Think I will skip the card show this weekend, even if it means my next chance to sell is after Finals. Going for broke.

This from a Nets fan, FWIW: "I'm sorry to see what happened last night. Unfortunately, this was completely predictable. You have Scott Foster as the ref for a game and series where the majority of the public money has been bet on Indiana. A Pacers series win would be devastating for sportsbooks and bookies in this country. The whistle in this game was always going to be incredibly lop-sided and the Pacers would have to play perfectly in order to win.

OKC understands the refs. Why do you think they rested Shai? It wasn't just to keep him fresh. It was also because they knew they would have Foster keeping the game close until the very end. If that's the case, you want to keep Shai fresh for the very end. Daigneault has spoken at length about all of the work they do analyzing different officials and their tendencies."

Finally: "Anyone else think that we are going to find out during the postseason that Nesmith 's ankle injury was substantially worse than anyone ever let on? He is an absolute champ for getting out there and playing, but to me it looks like his explosiveness is nowhere near what it was before the injury. I think there's a good chance he's gutting it out more than we know."

[OKC Thunder fan]

Rick Carlisle had a rare bad moment in the 4th quarter.

OKC switched up SGA off Nembhard which completely turned the game around.

Nesmith can't guard SGA whereas Nembhard can shut down SGA for long stretches and fatigue him greatly.

Carlisle should have called a time out and told Nembhard that under no circumstances should Nembhard ever switch off SGA.

[Nomad]

As a long time Nesmith watcher, I do believe it is the aforementioned ankle issue. He can't do jujitsu moves at the moment. But Williams was torching him for same reason. I think Double A did a decent job, there were semi phantom calls*, as well as that egregious one where Shai both traveled and pushed him to the floor.

Maybe if we had had shep in somehow. He is another great man-to-man defender.

Also would have liked to have seen some Thomas Bryant for Myles.

*watching the second Math FT miss and foul sequence, where he barreled into Shai. Know I am reading too much, looks like the classic "game is cooked, preserve the Vegas line" move.

[Asian62150]

This series is by no means over. Yes, OKC is favored, as they should be. But it's professional sports. These are teams that can and do execute at the highest of levels.

-Indy has proven they can win at OKC
-Indy has shown themselves to be incredibly clutch, especially on the road
-All players are susceptible to injury, which can dramatically alter the series

[Sticks33]

Originally Posted by Nomad

They really dissed Nesmith with those calls. He is gonna have a heck of chip on his shoulder going into G5. Think I will skip the card show this weekend, even if it means my next chance to sell is after Finals. Going for broke.

This from a Nets fan, FWIW: "I'm sorry to see what happened last night. Unfortunately, this was completely predictable. You have Scott Foster as the ref for a game and series where the majority of the public money has been bet on Indiana. A Pacers series win would be devastating for sportsbooks and bookies in this country. The whistle in this game was always going to be incredibly lop-sided and the Pacers would have to play perfectly in order to win.

OKC understands the refs. Why do you think they rested Shai? It wasn't just to keep him fresh. It was also because they knew they would have Foster keeping the game close until the very end. If that's the case, you want to keep Shai fresh for the very end. Daigneault has spoken at length about all of the work they do analyzing different officials and their tendencies."

Finally: "Anyone else think that we are going to find out during the postseason that Nesmith 's ankle injury was substantially worse than anyone ever let on? He is an absolute champ for getting out there and playing, but to me it looks like his explosiveness is nowhere near what it was before the injury. I think there's a good chance he's gutting it out more than we know."

It’s ok to say Nesmith didn’t have a good game. No excuses Nomad. Frankly, you probably should have sold your investment after his 30 point game.

[Nomad]

Nah, I would be much more worried as a high dollar Hali or Math investor.

Anyway, the loss just set us up for that sweet game 7 scenario that hobbyists dream about. Five game series don't move needles. High risk, high reward. If you can't take the burn, don't play the game.

[gomiamigo]

Nighty night Pacers, you were a cute story.

[PLB9eight]

Originally Posted by Nomad

As a long time Nesmith watcher, I do believe it is the aforementioned ankle issue. He can't do jujitsu moves at the moment. But Williams was torching him for same reason. I think Double A did a decent job, there were semi phantom calls*, as well as that egregious one where Shai both traveled and pushed him to the floor.

Maybe if we had had shep in somehow. He is another great man-to-man defender.

Also would have liked to have seen some Thomas Bryant for Myles.

*watching the second Math FT miss and foul sequence, where he barreled into Shai. Know I am reading too much, looks like the classic "game is cooked, preserve the Vegas line" move.

Nesmith plays defense with his hands all over people. Usually with players in the air. Can’t expect tears or calls with that style of D.


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[Nomad]

I mean he did get Caruso. But then he did deserve that. Nesmith has always been good at calling opponent's bulls-t.

Hobby doomers vs. reality:

"How the f did game 6 tickets [Nesmith cards] get more expensive?!

I’m dying to go to the finals, but I can’t justify spending $1k each for nosebleeds.

I thought the one positive from last night might be cheaper game 6 tickets. Nope! Maybe even $50-100 more now.

Today effing sucks. First time in my adult life I can’t wait for Monday while chilling on a Saturday

Pacers in 6"

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by Akphillips86

He definitely had some chicken wing action that didn’t get whistled last night, but it goes both ways.

He also has someone hanging on him in a quasi embrace nearly every moment he doesn’t have the ball. Also defenders aren’t just relying on moving their feet to stay in front, but grabbing on one of his arms when he does have the ball to try to prevent him from getting separation.

Both of these things aren’t anomalies though. You’ll see it from nearly every ball dominant alpha.


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He's not getting calls he regularly gets and they are not calling his arm pushoffs.

Seems fair. Let them play.

[Akphillips86]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

He's not getting calls he regularly gets and they are not calling his arm pushoffs.

Seems fair. Let them play.

Agreed. I actually like a fairly muted whistle.


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[Nomad]

Foster's was not a muted whistle. That was the major issue. He literally made a number of momentum shifting calls and non calls starting in the mid-3rd that allowed Thunder back in.

Good for NBA, even good for Pacers (one more game in Indy). No one in the press conference objected too hard or seemed too dispirited. It makes me optimistic that Pascal will make good on his promise of "circling the wagons" and Ty on his promise of executing higher precision ball at pace going into OKC.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Foster's was not a muted whistle. That was the major issue. He literally made a number of momentum shifting calls and non calls starting in the mid-3rd that allowed Thunder back in.

Good for NBA, even good for Pacers (one more game in Indy). No one in the press conference objected too hard or seemed too dispirited. It makes me optimistic that Pascal will make good on his promise of "circling the wagons" and Ty on his promise of executing higher precision ball at pace going into OKC.

Foster was total opposite of a muted whistle. I actually thought the first half was worse than second half. Referees were a non-topic the first 3 games, as they should be. The issue with Foster is he always becomes a main story within the game, one way or another, when other crew chiefs do a much better job of blending into the background of the game.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Foster was total opposite of a muted whistle. I actually thought the first half was worse than second half. Referees were a non-topic the first 3 games, as they should be. The issue with Foster is he always becomes a main story within the game, one way or another, when other crew chiefs do a much better job of blending into the background of the game.

I agree. For me the worst was the flagrant on Obi, should have been a common foul plus a technical on him for pushing Hartenstein.

People are focusing in the final minutes and it's like, what are you supposed to do if one team is making dumb fouls?

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

Nighty night Pacers, you were a cute story.

If only your 76ers could get out of the 2nd round they could have a cute story also.

[Nomad]

I agree though. The Pacers need to be better.

They literally reversed the playbook on that one.

[MavsRChamps]

It’s funny after every game some people seem to be overly harsh on losing squad. I mean Pacers didn’t play perfect, their offense stalled a bit late but no team plays a perfect game. Thunder just one upped them down the stretch. I hope Indy maintains their tenacious play next game. One advantage of being ON THE ROAD is sometimes being more dialed in. I actually think the constant ref complaining by the fans - which could be heard from the tv - was potentially distracting to Indy. Just a thought

Hard to predict this series game to game. Wouldn’t be surprised by any outcome going forward.

[Jwax13]

Originally Posted by MJGOAT23

The more I watch him the less I like. Yes, he's lethal from midrange but he really only gets the separation with that off arm push off.

The irony of someone named “MJGOAT23” complaining about off arm push offs is just too much.

[Akphillips86]

Originally Posted by Jwax13

The irony of someone named “MJGOAT23” complaining about off arm push offs is just too much.

This did not escape me either


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[Chryghst]

Carlisle on Scott Foster:
‘As far as the officiating, it’s awful some of the things I’ve seen about the officiating. Scott Foster in particular. I’ve known Scott Foster for 30 years. He’s a great official. He’s done a great job in this playoffs. We’ve had him a lot of times and the ridiculous scrutiny that’s being thrown out there is terrible, and unfair and unjust and stupid’.

Now we know that he’s reading this forum, sorry Rick. My apologies. Please win game 5.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Jwax13

The irony of someone named “MJGOAT23” complaining about off arm push offs is just too much.

Yes, but he was referring to an arm push off against "ANGOAT23."

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by Jwax13

The irony of someone named “MJGOAT23” complaining about off arm push offs is just too much.

Originally Posted by Akphillips86

This did not escape me either


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I loved that about MJ and love that about SGA. Unless they change the rules, go for it.

[Akphillips86]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I loved that about MJ and love that about SGA. Unless they change the rules, go for it.

That’s kinda where I’m at too. You can’t blame the players either way if it’s within what the refs allow. I would love to see less whistles in general regardless of who they favor.

I think if the defense can latch on to an arm, the offense can shove off. In the end, it’s what’s enforced that matters though. Lane violations, carrying etc.


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[ninjacookies]

It appears my pre-series assumption that Caruso was going to be the best defender on the floor was correct, because that's been the case every minute he's logged thus far.

However, the unexpected additional bonus is that he's also been the best offensive threat coming off the bench for either squad. Bro has been absolutely balling his grapenuts off.

The reason why they beat Denver, and in my mind the primary reason why this series is now tied up. Fakers dun funked up swapping his greatness for the famously aloof Cameron Frye.






Norwooding Mamba is Hims©.