Latest news with #DaveDuFour
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Knicks stayed alive in Game 5, but can they force a Game 7 vs. Pacers?
With their backs against the wall and facing playoff elimination, the New York Knicks rose to the occasion in Game 5 with a dominant 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers to stay alive. As the series heads back to Indianapolis on Saturday with the Pacers leading 3-2, the Knicks will need to replicate the same intensity they showed on Thursday. If the Knicks can grind out a road win, NBA fans will be treated to the mouth-watering prospect of a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. Advertisement On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni broke down how the Knicks fought to keep their season alive. They also discussed how Karl-Anthony Towns set the tone from the opening tip, how New York leaned on its rotation to stay fresh for the fourth quarter and whether the Knicks may have finally cracked Indiana's code. DuFour and Baraheni were joined by The Athletic's Shakeia Taylor, who highlighted how New York's suffocating defense kept the Pacers out of rhythm and how the Knicks controlled the pace from start to finish. Despite the loss, Indiana still has a chance to close out the series on their home floor. But after such a flat Game 5 performance, they know they'll need to bounce back quickly. DuFour, Baraheni and Taylor discuss why the Pacers looked so flat, how New York's defensive pressure affected Tyrese Haliburton, whether Aaron Nesmith's ankle injury should be a concern and the postgame reactions from the Pacers' locker room. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Photo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Pressure on the Knicks is piling up – will they cope or crumble?
The New York Knicks had the Boston Celtics on the ropes heading into Game 5 on Wednesday night — not only were they up 3-1 on the defending champions, but the Celtics were also without Jayson Tatum. But after a resounding 127-102 loss in TD Garden, the series now heads back to New York for Game 6 on Friday night. Win that, and the Knicks will advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Lose, and it's back to Boston for a Game 7. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni were joined by Fred Katz to break down what went wrong for the Knicks in Game 5. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. They discussed whether New York needs to lean on Mitchell Robinson more in Game 6 and start with a double-big lineup, the importance of a bounce-back game from Jalen Brunson on Friday night after fouling out in Game 5, and why Karl-Anthony Towns has to be more aggressive shooting from beyond the arc. Watch the discussion below. Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What do the Cavaliers need to bounce back next season?
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference from the jump this season, becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0 and amassing 64 wins in the regular season, the second most in franchise history. As the No. 1 seed, the expectation was a conference finals berth at minimum. But after just five games in the second round, Cleveland's season is over following a 114-105 loss Tuesday to the Indiana Pacers. Advertisement On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Zena Keita broke down whether the Cavaliers should run it back with the same core, the need for Cleveland to add more depth to the roster and whether Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, which has cast doubt over the Boston Celtics' future, opens a door in the East next season. Check out the discussion below. Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Thunder or Cavaliers? Which team had the most impressive NBA playoff sweep?
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers were the NBA's standout teams during the regular season, and both carried their dominance into the playoffs with first-round sweeps over the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat, respectively. Oklahoma City now awaits the winner of the nail-biting series between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers, a series currently tied 2-2 and is a candidate to go seven games. Cleveland will face the winner of the Indiana Pacers-Milwaukee Bucks series, which Indiana currently leads 3-1. Advertisement Given how dominant both teams were during the regular season, anything short of an NBA Finals appearance would be a disappointment in the eyes of many. The two teams combined for 132 regular-season wins, compared to only 32 losses. For that to happen, the Thunder first must get past a dangerous, battle-tested Nuggets or Clippers team just to get to the Western Conference finals, while the Cavaliers will have to take down either the Pacers or Bucks, then likely will have to overcome the defending-champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed whether the Thunder or the Cavaliers had the most impressive sweep and who the most important player for each team is going forward. They also discussed which of the series currently at 3-1 are over and whether the Nuggets or Clippers will advance. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
17-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Have the Mavs found their winning formula at the right time?
It's been a roller-coaster season for the Dallas Mavericks, but their show continues after blowing out the Sacramento Kings on the road to advance in the Play-In Tournament to set up a Friday showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The reward for the winner? A matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished the regular season with a 68-14 record. Despite this, the Mavericks will be desperate to book a spot in the postseason, looking to give themselves a chance — however slim — to defend their Western Conference crown. Advertisement Should the Mavericks overcome the Grizzlies and secure the West's No. 8 seed, they will become the first No. 10 seed out of the West to advance to the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Assuming the Miami Heat don't beat them to the punch when they take on the Atlanta Hawks in the first of the two Play-In games on Friday, the Mavericks can become the first-ever No. 10 seed to make the playoffs. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni were joined by Mavericks beat writer Christian Clark to unpack Dallas' big win on the road. They discussed Klay Thompson coming up big a year after going scoreless against Sacramento in his last postseason game for Golden State, as well as Brandon Williams' impressive 17-point performance off the bench. They also discussed whether Dallas' win showed Nico Harrison's vision for the team as presently constructed. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
