Latest news with #Finals-bound
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's calm in the chaos is the MVP force powering Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA Finals run
Just a few weeks ago, it was tough to picture the Oklahoma City Thunder standing here, Finals-bound and fearless. Their path looked shaky, one bad shooting night or a monster game from an opposing MVP away from falling apart. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guiding the way, all that uncertainty has faded. The newly crowned MVP didn't just lead the Oklahoma City Thunder through a brutal playoff stretch—he grew with every step, turning pressure into fuel. Now with the red-hot Indiana Pacers waiting, his calm presence might be the Thunder's biggest advantage yet. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's rise from Game 7 jitters to NBA Finals poise fuels Oklahoma City Thunder's championship chase The pressure peaked weeks ago in , where the Thunder faced elimination in a high-stakes Game 7 against and the Nuggets. The defending champions had just delivered a 12-point gut punch in Game 6, and the was staring down a daunting challenge. 'I was nervous to be honest,' admitted. Speaking during the postgame presser following OKC's stunning 32-point victory over the Nuggets, the MVP reflected on what was at stake. 'Just knowing what's on the line. We've worked so hard in the whole 82-game season, we've all worked so hard in the summer, to know if you don't bring your A-game it could all be over with and all for nothing.' The nerves were real, but so was the response. Image via X From that moment forward, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder found their rhythm. In the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, OKC came out swinging. Dominant wins in Games 1 and 2 at home set the tone, and even a lopsided Game 3 loss didn't throw them off course. The Thunder regrouped quickly and closed out the series with authority. Fast forward to Wednesday's NBA Finals media day, and Gilgeous-Alexander spoke from a place of calm clarity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Yeah, I just figured out how to navigate through all the emotions and the nerves and the waiting process,' he said. 'Which is just plugging into my loved ones, try not to think about it so much, stress about it so much, just enjoy life and stay in the moment.' That emotional grounding could be critical as Oklahoma City faces arguably its toughest matchup yet. The Indiana Pacers, who've stunned the league with their offensive firepower, present a stylistic challenge unlike any the Thunder have seen so far. But Gilgeous-Alexander sounds ready. 'When these Playoffs go on, you get better in controlling the situations, controlling your emotions,' he said. 'You understand what's coming.' Also Read: When the Thunder take the floor in the NBA Finals, it won't just be about talent or tactics. It'll be about composure. It'll be about a team that grew stronger under pressure, led by a superstar who found peace in the chaos. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have started this playoff run with nerves, but he enters the Finals as a master of the moment.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks vs Pacers predictions: See our expert picks for NBA Eastern Conference Finals
For the first time in 25 years, the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tom Thibodeau's team is on quite on a run, beating the Detroit Pistons in five games and then the defending champion Boston Celtics in six to advance to become of the NBA's last four teams standing. Advertisement The Knicks will now play the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, which begin Wednesday, May 21 (8 p.m., TNT) at Madison Square Garden. It'll be the second-straight year these teams have met in the playoffs – the Pacers beat the Knicks in seven games in the second round last season, but that Knicks team was banged up going into the series and it only became progressively worse. This Knicks team is healthy, and perhaps more importantly, hungry. After blowing out the Celtics Friday night at MSG, the celebration on the court and in the locker room was subdued – for a good reason. Several players said the team has more to accomplish. Beating the Celtics was just a step. Advertisement The Pacers, who went 50-32 during the regular season, beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and then upset the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. It should be a fun series. So can the Knicks keep this run going and make it to the Finals? Feb 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Here are our predictions: Chris Iseman Prediction: Knicks in 6 Here's why: The Pacers are a really good team, and they're deep. They wear teams down. That could be a problem for the Knicks since they're not exactly the deepest team. But their starters are used to playing a lot of minutes. And perhaps most importantly, the Knicks right now are playing at a high level defensively. If they can string full 48-minute performances together, the Knicks will be Finals-bound. Bert Bainbridge Prediction: Knicks in 7 Advertisement Here's why: What a redemption story this could be for the Knicks. After being up 2-0 and 3-2 in last year's second round matchup against the Pacers, New York couldn't close the deal and lost Game 7 at Madison Square Garden with star point guard Jalen Brunson leaving with a broken left hand. The last time the Knicks were in this position also happened to be against the Pacers -- notably led by Reggie Miller -- who won in six games a quarter century ago. This time around, Brunson and Co. get their revenge, beating Indiana in Game 7 at MSG and leading the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 26 years. Brian Marron Prediction: Pacers in 6 Advertisement Here's why: As the playoffs drag on, the Pacers' depth becomes more of a strength. They can throw multiple defenders at Jalen Brunson, and guard him for the full length of the court for every minute he's out there. Indiana should be able to pester and wear down Brunson to allow its high-flying offense to score enough points to move on to the NBA Finals. Dave Rivera Prediction: Knicks in 7 Here's why: Who would've thought the Knicks would be at the doorstep of making it to the NBA Finals? Yet here they are after eliminating the defending champion Celtics. Now they have a chance to avenge last year's playoff loss to the Pacers when it looked like the Knicks had that series in hand. Expect every game to be a grind in this series, and in the end, Jalen Brunson carries his team to an epic Game 7 victory at the Garden. Art Stapleton Prediction: Knicks in 6 Advertisement Here's why: I think the Knicks will play a lot looser this series having knocked off the defending champions. Losing in Boston in Game 5 taught this team a lesson that should prove beneficial the rest of the way. What I liked most about the series-clinching win over the Celtics was the group effort. Sure, the focus will be on Jalen Brunson vs. Tyrese Haliburton, yet the key will be whether the unsung guys - Deuce McBride, Mitchell Robinson - can outplay Indiana's fantastic bench. I'm predicting they will. Bob Jordan Prediction: Knicks in 5 Here's why: Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 19.8 points and 12.7 rebounds a game against the Celtics but his Game 6 work was a thing of beauty. We don't often see that level from KAT over consecutive games, let alone an entire series, but if he's locked in through next week it will be a gentlemen's sweep. This article originally appeared on NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers predictions: Expert picks for Eastern Conference Finals
Forbes
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Myles Turner May Be The Key For Pacers Playoff Success Against Bucks
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 14: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the ... More Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) INDIANAPOLIS – On one side, there's Giannis Antetookounmpo and Damian Lillard, the latter of whom is currently recovering from a blood clot and is on the mend. On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam sit ready. When the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks meet in their first round series that tips off on Saturday, stars will be everywhere. Yet the X-factor in the best-of-seven set might be Pacers center Myles Turner. The big man, who is in his 10th NBA season, is about to host a playoff series for the first time and may be the key to Indiana advancing to the Conference Semifinals. The Texas product has become a consistent weapon for the blue and gold since signing a contract extension in 2023. His scoring has eclipsed 15 points per game in each of the last three seasons while his rebounding, block, and efficiency numbers have remained steady and solid. He found the right role on the offensive end without having to change his focuses. That led to his best playoffs yet in 2024. As the Pacers marched to the Eastern Conference Finals, Turner averaged 17 points per game and was lights out from long range, shooting over 45% on his three-point shots. He stressed out opposing defenses, which was key as the blue and gold went on a deep run. For Indiana to do it again, they need Turner to be at his best. 'On both sides of the ball, he's huge – Being able to pick, pop, make threes at a 40% clip,' Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith said of Turner. 'I think he was second in the league in blocks this year. It's huge what he does for us and the impact he has on the game.' Turner actually finished third in both total blocks and blocks per game, but Nesmith's point stands – stretch bigs who can defend are vital pieces of many strong postseason teams. The reigning champion Boston Celtics have one in Kristaps Porzingis. Before them, the likes of Brook Lopez (who the Pacers are about to see in this series) and Al Horford were key parts of Finals-bound rosters. Anthony Davis won a title as a center during his best-shooting playoff run while Nikola Jokic won his ring during what some consider his best defensive season. Three-and-D skill sets aren't required from a center for playoff success, but they are growing in importance. The New York Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers have seen shooting growth (among other things) from Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley, respectively – though they each play next to another big man. Isaiah Stewart and Wendell Carter Jr will have roles in the postseason. The list goes on and on, and Turner is one of the better big men in the NBA when it comes to the combination of shooting and rim protection. He just wrapped up a full season during which he shot a career-high 39.6% from three-point range. 'I work really hard on my shot, work really hard on my mindset with it,' Turner said in March 'I think post All-Star break, I've been shooting more freely, shooting a lot more than I have in the past.' Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game ... More against the Brooklyn Nets in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) Milwaukee is a strong defensive team. They finished 12th in the league in defensive rating and improved on that end of the floor after a slow 2-8 start to the season. They have size and have some smart defenders in Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr. Lopez toggled between defending Turner and Siakam in last year's Pacers vs Bucks series. This year, with Antetokounmpo back and headlining the differences in the best-of-seven set, it seems as if Lopez will start the series guarding Turner. While the Bucks veteran center is a talented rim protector, Turner has the skill set to limit his impact by being a pick-and-pop threat and pulling Lopez away from the rim. 'Stretch fives are very valuable in today's game. That's obvious,' Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said when discussing Turner. 'Myles is special for a lot of reasons. His loyalty to the franchise is a big part of that. On the court, he does things that are unique for a seven-foot guy. He protects the rim and he makes threes, along with doing a lot of other important things. He's a very important guy with our team.' Of course, Turner taking – and making – open threes will be important in the series. Missing too many shots is problematic, and Turner made them in last year's series as well as during the recently-concluded campaign. But the spacing Turner provides is just as valuable. If he provides pressure on the Bucks defense just by existing beyond the arc – whether that is by pulling Lopez away from the basket or baiting more switches from Milwaukee's group – then the Pacers will have more offensive success. If that advantage is neutralized, the Pacers will have a tougher time scoring. 'I think he spaces the floor a lot for us to drive the ball with his shooting ability. I think it's pretty key,' Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard said of Turner. Those two are a masterful pairing on the defensive end. 'I think it allows me, [Siakam], and [Haliburton] to make plays and have the space that we need to make those plays.' Indiana was +54 with Turner on the floor against the Bucks in the playoffs last year. They were -37 when he sat. His importance is obvious, both because of the specific skills he brings to the table and because of the way his skills enhance his teammates. Milwaukee can't ignore him. If the 10-year veteran has a strong series, the Pacers will have a good chance to win. If he struggles, Indiana will have to alter their typical style to advance. Since the arrival of Siakam last season, Turner's shot diet and effectiveness have climbed – and the Pacers can advance in the postseason if their starting center continues to be impactful.
