Latest news with #JeffZillgitt
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals 2025 odds: Who is favored in Thunder vs. Pacers?
NBA Finals 2025 odds: Who is favored in Thunder vs. Pacers? Show Caption Hide Caption Thunder storm past Timberwolves in WCF, punch ticket to NBA Finals The Oklahoma City Thunder looked as dominant as ever after closing out the Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, trip to NBA Finals awaits. Sports Pulse Now that the 2025 NBA Finals are set, who is the favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy? The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are four games away for basketball immortality as they will meet in the finals after impressive runs in their respective conference. The top seed in the West, Oklahoma City breezed past the Memphis Grizzlies before outlasting the Denver Nuggets in seven games. After having little trouble against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team with the best regular season record returns for the Finals for the first time since 2012. Meanwhile, Indiana got past the Milwaukee Bucks in five games before impressively taking down the Eastern Conference's top team in the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers haunted the New York Knicks once again with a series win in six games to get back to its first Finals since 2000. Both teams proved they are worthy of playing for a title, and even though the Finals don't begin until next week, there's already a team favored to win it all. Who is favored in NBA Finals 2025? The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win the 2025 NBA Finals, according to betMGM. NBA Finals 2025 Thunder vs. Pacers betting odds Odds according to BetMGM: Oklahoma City Thunder: -700 Indiana Pacers: +500 NBA Finals 2025 predictions USA TODAY Sports' experts make their predictions for Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers: Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five Thunder in five Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five James H. Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Game 1: Pacers at Thunder (Thursday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Pacers at Thunder (Thursday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 2: Pacers at Thunder (Sunday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET, ABC) Pacers at Thunder (Sunday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 3: Thunder at Pacers (Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Thunder at Pacers (Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 4: Thunder at Pacers (Friday, June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Thunder at Pacers (Friday, June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 5: Pacers at Thunder, (Monday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Pacers at Thunder, (Monday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Game 6: Thunder at Pacers (Thursday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Thunder at Pacers (Thursday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Game 7: Pacers at Thunder (Sunday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET on ABC)* *-if necessary
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA's cycle of superteams has been dismantled. Owners wanted parity and got it.
NBA's cycle of superteams has been dismantled. Owners wanted parity and got it. Show Caption Hide Caption Shai Gilgeous-Alexander latest player born outside USA to win MVP USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the MVP-caliber season had by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse If the impending NBA Finals matchup of the league's 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA's owners intentionally brought on themselves. While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we've seen in our lifetimes. But rather than post memes of Adam Silver shedding tears over the Larry O'Brien Trophy because we are likely getting Indianapolis and Oklahoma City playing for it, consider adjusting your expectations going forward. Because this is the league of relative parity the NBA wanted, and it's the league they shall have for the foreseeable future. We are only in Year 2 of the current CBA, which extends through the 2029-30 season. And it's working precisely as the majority of league owners intended, flattening the field and making it remarkably difficult to keep a championship contender intact for very long. Exhibit A? The Boston Celtics, with a roster that has a projected $197 million committed next season to just five players. In order to avoid the so-called second apron, Boston will have to shed at least $20 million in salary or else face a variety of penalties that aren't merely financial but would limit their ability to make certain kinds of moves. And that's exactly how the NBA wants it: The more successful your team is, the more expensive its roster becomes, the more difficult the rules make it to continue the same course. That day is coming for Indiana as its key players cycle through their current contracts, and it's certainly coming for Oklahoma City as players like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren come off their rookie deals, and several other veterans hit free agency in the summer of 2026. If anything, it starts to look more like an NFL model, where the teams that tend to do well have a roster oriented toward a few stars making big money and a lot of players contributing early in their careers and performing at a higher level than their contracts would suggest. But when they hit free agency and seek a significantly bigger contract, the decisions become more difficult, and the organization is tested in its ability to fill holes through the draft. Does that seem fair? No, but it wasn't designed to be fair. It was designed to redistribute talent through the league at a greater rate than we had seen previously, and it appears to be working. It is perhaps no coincidence that as the NBA will crown its seventh different champion in the last seven years, teams that were as far down as the play-in ranks this year are measuring whether a mega-trade for someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant could immediately lift them into the Finals conversation. At least on paper, the league seems that wide open, and it will no longer seem like an anomaly when two of the smaller, less-glamorous markets end up as the last teams standing. If you were an owner outside the handful of heavyweight markets that have traditionally attracted the best free agents, wouldn't you want the same thing? Though we are just a couple of years into this CBA, there's already proof of concept: If you manage your assets correctly and build elite depth through the draft, you don't need to recreate the 2010-14 Miami Heat to contend for a title. There are certainly drawbacks to this approach. If you're a good team that made a great draft pick in the teens or 20s and developed them into a quality role player, there's an argument that you should be able to both keep and reward that player for the long haul without having to fundamentally alter your team. In the old CBA, there were a few more nooks and crannies that allowed teams to work around the edges. Also, consider what's about to happen in Cleveland, where Evan Mobley winning defensive player of the year expanded the contract extension he already signed last summer by roughly $7 million next year and by $45 million over the life of the deal. That margin will directly impact how much Cleveland will be able to improve its team this summer, as the Cavaliers are projected to be in the second apron – and may even cost them a player. The real kicker to it is that Victor Wembanyama was running away with the award at the All-Star break but was shut down in February due to a blood clot and finished short of the 65-game minimum requirement for most NBA awards, making Mobley next in line. In other words, the chain reaction of an injury in San Antonio ends up limiting what a championship contender this year can do with its roster – even though nothing really changed from a basketball-value standpoint. That may not be the ideal way to run a league, but such absurdities are precisely what NBA owners signed up for with this CBA. What used to be a fairly simple way to build a dynasty – acquire a generational player in the draft, then attract other stars through trades or free agency – is now a much more complex dance with different paths to a title. Indiana and Oklahoma City have nailed it – for now. But greatness in this NBA isn't meant to be forever. So if this likely Finals matchup isn't your jam, there's a simple solution. Just wait 'til next year.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Thunder use MVP career playoff highs to trip Timberwolves, inch closer to NBA Finals
Thunder use MVP career playoff highs to trip Timberwolves, inch closer to NBA Finals Show Caption Hide Caption Shai Gilgeous-Alexander latest player born outside USA to win MVP USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the MVP-caliber season had by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse The Oklahoma City Thunder relied on all the attributes that led them to the NBA's best record at 68-14 and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Offense, defense, star power and depth propelled the Thunder to a 128-126 victory in Game 4 of the conference finals Monday, making it a 3-1 series lead for the Thunder who can finish the series in Game 5 Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Oklahoma City is trying to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 40 points, and All-NBA forward Jalen Williams had a playoff career-high 34 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City held Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards to an uneventful 16 points and Julius Randle to five points. MORE: Aaron Nesmith injury update: Will Pacers X-factor miss Game 4 Tuesday vs. Knicks? MORE: Tyrese Haliburton's dad allowed to attend Pacers home games again after incident Here are the winners and losers from Game 4 between the Thunder and Timberwolves: Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 4 winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named MVP for the first time in his career last week, reached 40 points in a playoff game for the first time in his career, and it also was the first time he recorded 10 assists in a playoff game. He was one rebound shy of a triple-double and scored seven of his 11 fourth-quarter points on free throws – including five made three throws in the final 14.5 seconds. He has scored at least 30 points in six of Oklahoma City's past seven playoff games and is averaging 30.1 points in the four conference finals games. Jalen Williams Williams surpassed his previous playoff high (32 points against Denver in overtime earlier this month) with 34 points – 14 coming in the fourth quarter when the Thunder needed his offense to hold off a Minnesota rally. He was 13-for-24 from the field and 6-for-9 on 3-pointers, including a key 3 with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter that pushed OKC's lead to 116-109 and another with 1:21 to play that gave the Thunder a 123-116 lead. He also had five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Chet Holmgren Holmgren scored 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting and added seven rebounds and three blocks. That two-way performance is what helped make the Thunder the No. 1 defensive team and No. 3 offensive team. Minnesota's bench Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting, including 5-for-8 on 3s, and Donte DiVincenzo had 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 5-for-8 on 3s for the Timberwolves, whose bench produced 64 points. Naz Reid had 11 points and Terrence Shannon Jr. had nine. Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 4 losers Anthony Edwards' scoring Edwards had 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting and was just 1-for-7 on 3s. That's not enough – the Timberwolves need more shooting and scoring from Edwards. It's the second time Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points during the regular season, has scored fewer than 20 points in this series. Oklahoma City executed another strong defensive gameplan, keeping Edwards from dominating. Julius Randle's production Randle had just five points, was 1-for-7 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts. He had just six points in Game 2, and it's difficult for the Timberwolves to win conference finals when their second-best scorer has fewer than 10 points. Timberwolves turnovers Minnesota coach Chris Finch has bemoaned turnovers throughout the series, and Game 4 was another turnover-laden game for his squad. The Timberwolves committed 23 turnovers leading to 22 Thunder points. That facet of the game has turned into a major storyline of the series. In Game 1 of the Western finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Thunder points. In Game 2, Minnesota had 14 turnovers leading to 22 Oklahoma City points. The Timberwolves lost both games. In Game 3 at home, the Timberwolves turned the basketball over just 10 times for 15 Thunder points and won. Late-game "intentional" fouls With the Thunder ahead 126-123 with less than 10 seconds to play, they played the foul game, preventing Minnesota from attempting a potential score-tying 3-pointer. Oklahoma City fouled Minnesota's Naz Reid with 7.8 seconds and 7.2 seconds left. The Thunder had a foul to give on the first foul and sent Reid to the free throw line on the second foul. After Reid made two free throws and Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws, the Thunder fouled Edwards with 3.5 seconds left so he couldn't try a 3. Edwards made the first and intentionally missed the second. The Thunder made the sound strategic decision for certain, but it also sullied the finish of a great game.
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Pacers vs Knicks: TV, picks, odds, how to watch NBA playoff game
Instead, the Pacers mounted a legendary comeback, with Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith leading the way. Indiana made up a nine-point gap in the final 52 seconds of regulation, eventually claiming a 138-135 victory in overtime. The stunning outcome has supercharged what was already looking like an exciting series. Here are odds, predictions, and how to watch Game 2 between the Knicks and the Pacers: MORE: Celebrities flock to Knicks vs. Pacers at Madison Square Garden. See the stars at Game 2 PACERS VS. KNICKS GAME 1: Knicks' plan to keep pace with Pacers leaves them gassed What time is Pacers vs. Knicks? Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks is set to start at 8 p.m. ET. Indiana's 138-135 Game 1 overtime victory against New York on Wednesday averaged 6.6 million viewers, making the game the most-watched Eastern Conference final Game 1 since 2018, according to TNT. Viewership peaked at 8.5 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET - right around the time the Pacers made their stunning comeback. The game also won the night in primetime, per TNT, which is a huge victory for the network and the league. -- Jeff Zillgitt Who will show up to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 on Friday? We got you covered. USA TODAY Sports is tracking all the stars in attendance of the arena's highly-coveted "celebrity row." Pacers vs. Knicks predictions: Expert picks for Game 2 USA TODAY: Knicks to win Game 2 The USA TODAY staff picks for Game 2 are nearly unanimous, with the Knicks claiming a 6-1 edge. Scooby Axson: Knicks Cydney Henderson: Knicks Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks Jordan Mendoza: Knicks Heather Tucker: Knicks James WIlliams: Knicks Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers Dimers: Knicks 116, Pacers 111 Dimers' simulations have given the Knicks a 70% chance of winning Game 2, with a five-point margin the most likely outcome. Knicks even the series Jason Logan writes: "There are several alternate realities in which the Knicks held on to that late lead and won Game 1. It just wasn't ours. Books have New York installed as 5.5-point favorites for Game 2, and while Indiana is always live, a series split seems more probable considering the Knicks played well for 47 minutes before coming undone on Wednesday. New York wins Game 2." ClutchPoints: Pacers 108, Knicks 103 Using the NBA 2K25 video game to simulate Game 2, Massimo Marchiano has the Pacers claiming a five-point win. Pacers vs. Knicks odds The New York Knicks are favored to win Game 2, according to BetMGM. Odds as of Thursday, May 22. Spread : Knicks (-5.5) : Knicks (-5.5) Moneyline : Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190) : Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190) Over/under: 226.5 Pacers vs. Knicks series predictions: Expert picks Before Game 1, USA TODAY Sports experts made predictions for the Eastern Conference finals winner: Pacers vs. Knicks series winner Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers in six Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in seven Heather Tucker: Knicks in seven James Williams: Knicks in six Jordan Mendoza: Knicks in seven Scooby Axson: Knicks in seven Cydney Henderson: Knicks in six How to watch Pacers vs. Knicks: TV, stream Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Location: Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden TV: TNT, truTV TNT, truTV Stream: Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 on Fubo
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks: TV channel, odds, predictions, time and how to watch
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks: TV channel, odds, predictions, time and how to watch Show Caption Hide Caption NBA Finals predictions: Are the Thunder and Knicks locks for the NBA Finals? The For The Hoops crew make their picks for the NBA Finals. The Thunder vs. Knicks seem to be a popular pick, but are we counting the Timberwolves and Pacers out too early? The New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference finals series that has already been one of the major talking points of the ongoing NBA playoffs. The Knicks seemed to be rolling to a Game 1 victory Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. New York held a 17-point lead at one point during the fourth quarter, and with the seconds ticking away, a few long possessions or a defensive stop or two seemed to be all that was left to ice a win. Instead, the Pacers mounted a legendary comeback, with Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith leading the way. Indiana made up a nine-point gap in the final 52 seconds of regulation, eventually claiming a 138-135 victory in overtime. The stunning outcome has supercharged what was already looking like an exciting series. Here are odds, predictions, and how to watch Game 2 between the Knicks and the Pacers: NBA playoffs: Knicks' plan to keep pace with Pacers leaves them gassed What time is Pacers vs. Knicks? Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks is set to start at 8 p.m. ET. Pacers vs. Knicks predictions: Expert Picks for Game 2 USA TODAY: Knicks to win Game 2 The USA TODAY staff picks for Game 2 are nearly unanimous, with the Knicks claiming a 6-1 edge. Scooby Axson: Knicks Cydney Henderson: Knicks Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks Jordan Mendoza: Knicks Heather Tucker: Knicks James WIlliams: Knicks Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers Dimers: Knicks 116, Pacers 111 Dimers' simulations have given the Knicks a 70% chance of winning Game 2, with a five-point margin the most likely outcome. Knicks even the series Jason Logan writes: "There are several alternate realities in which the Knicks held on to that late lead and won Game 1. It just wasn't ours. Books have New York installed as 5.5-point favorites for Game 2, and while Indiana is always live, a series split seems more probable considering the Knicks played well for 47 minutes before coming undone on Wednesday. New York wins Game 2." ClutchPoints: Pacers 108, Knicks 103 Using the NBA 2K25 video game to simulate Game 2, Massimo Marchiano has the Pacers claiming a five-point win. Pacers vs. Knicks odds The New York Knicks are favored to win Game 2, according to BetMGM. Odds as of Thursday, May 22. Spread : Knicks (-5.5) : Knicks (-5.5) Moneyline : Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190) : Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190) Over/under: 226.5 Pacers vs. Knicks series predictions: Expert picks Before Game 1, USA TODAY Sports experts made predictions for the Eastern Conference finals winner: Pacers vs. Knicks series winner Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers in six Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in seven Heather Tucker: Knicks in seven James Williams: Knicks in six Jordan Mendoza: Knicks in seven Scooby Axson: Knicks in seven Cydney Henderson: Knicks in six How to watch Pacers vs. Knicks NBA game: TV, stream Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Location: Madison Square Garden (New York) Madison Square Garden (New York) TV: TNT, truTV TNT, truTV Stream: Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 on Fubo
