2025 NBA Season

[Ziskinberg]

Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors started the conference finals in a great way. They both got solid wins in the first game of their series. Warriors had the first game last night and they won by almost 30 points. It was a humiliating lose for Mavericks I think. After seeing that great performance against Suns, I wasn't expecting them to give up on this game this easy. But I will be expecting more resistance from them in the second game. However I feel like Heat and Warriors both will bring their series to 2-0.

Since both teams have enough experience climbing the NBA finals, more likely these two will gonna win against their current opponent and proceed to compete in the NBA finals. I watched the game earlier and it seems like the Mavs cannot do anything about the GSW defensive strategy and they are like playing hard while the GSW are just playing them. Unlike the Boston Celtics, the Mavs are struggling with their star players on the court, and too bad for them, Luka is not doing well because he's hurt in his shoulder.

Luka is the heart of the Mavericks, without him or a not 100% Luka, that would mean trouble to them. Good thing for the Mavericks that Dinwiddie is starting to show some consistency, but it's still not enough though, Warriors are just too strong for them as a team. Honestly, I think we will be seeing a swept in this series.

[Reid]

It could've been a close game if the Mavericks are making their shots. Most of them are not a good throw even if they are free. Either they are forcing it or they are nervous facing the champions. If they will manage to break that curse then we will see a better Game 2.
We saw how they did against the Suns on Game 7, every throw is full of confidence and I am waiting for Finney Smith to make it. 5 points is not what I expected and he didn't shoot the ball much outside. Hesitations will not help.

[Distraction]

Warriors started really strong to their series against Mavericks. They didn't have much difficulty in defeating Mavericks (112-87). Actually there was no player who scored more than 21 points in this game but Warriors played more effective as a team. There were seven players who scored 10+ points for Warriors but there were only four for Mavericks. It looks like Doncic will need to score many more points again. His score contribution is very crucial for the team.

[RealMalatesta]

Luka is the heart of the Mavericks, without him or a not 100% Luka, that would mean trouble to them. Good thing for the Mavericks that Dinwiddie is starting to show some consistency, but it's still not enough though, Warriors are just too strong for them as a team. Honestly, I think we will be seeing a swept in this series.

Mavs is definitely great when Luka plays better, but at the same time Warriors is a team that could defend very well whenever they want to as well. This is why I believe that it is not going to be that much of a trouble just because Luka is a great player.

They can switch very well and they could defend Luka very well, in fact they can defend anyone very well. They have such a great offense that many people forget that for many years Warriors actually had one of the best defenses in the league, because their offense shined a lot more. We had a lot more teams with more threes in a game, and yet everyone thinks about Warriors is a three point shooting team and that's it.

[CLS63]

Warriors were superior to their opponent Dallas especially about rebounds. Besides, we shouldn't forget about the fact that Warriors have been one of the best defense teams in the league. In the regular season, they were the team that had the best defensive statistics for some time. Besides, they managed to get past Mavericks comfortably by getting a score contribution from many players in the first game.

[Yogee]

It could've been a close game if the Mavericks are making their shots. Most of them are not a good throw even if they are free. Either they are forcing it or they are nervous facing the champions. If they will manage to break that curse then we will see a better Game 2.
We saw how they did against the Suns on Game 7, every throw is full of confidence and I am waiting for Finney Smith to make it. 5 points is not what I expected and he didn't shoot the ball much outside. Hesitations will not help.

I think a lot of it has to do with their first time Finals experience. Jason Kidd has a lot on his plate since it appears most of his players do not have his kind of mentality yet. Maybe he needs to suit up and show his players how it's done? Hehe.

Game 2 will most likely be another double digit win for the Warriors. They simply have the edge in player quality and experience.

[wheelz1200]

Not to deflect from the playoffs but what's everyone's take on chet holmgren.  Personally think he is too frail, but reading a ton of "analysts" and they love the kids prospect to be a huge impact player.  Kid looks like he is gonna snap, and can't see how he defend against the likes of the centers and power forwards in the league.  They will bully him into injury.  Kinda glad the Knicks are in the 1-4 hole they would probably draft him lol. 

[lulumiya]

Heat started the series decently by getting 1-0 ahead. It was a superb performance by Jimmy Butler especially. And tonight, there is the second game in Miami again. But this time, I think Heat will have a much tougher game against Celtics. I don't think that Celtics would play like in the first one. They know that they must defend their opponent better than this. We all must be knowing that Celtics can be a very solid team in defense when they really want too. I'm curious about if we will see another example for it tonight too. If they don't do this, then the series would be 2-0 most probably.

[agustina2]

If they don't do this, then the series would be 2-0 most probably.

I think it will be a 2-0 lead by the Miami Heat later. Then, later on, the Boston Celtics will tie the series 2-2 on their homecourt. Miami Heat struggles to play as a visitor against a team that they should handle easily like in their previous series. Celtics is hard to handle at their home court and it's like their players are becoming monster when they played at home.

Miami Heat should do their best to take the 2-0 lead as entering the Celtics arena with a 1-1 series, they might back again at the Heat home with a 1-3 deficit.

[dwyane36]

I think it will be a 2-0 lead by the Miami Heat later. Then, later on, the Boston Celtics will tie the series 2-2 on their homecourt. Miami Heat struggles to play as a visitor against a team that they should handle easily like in their previous series. Celtics is hard to handle at their home court and it's like their players are becoming monster when they played at home.

Miami Heat should do their best to take the 2-0 lead as entering the Celtics arena with a 1-1 series, they might back again at the Heat home with a 1-3 deficit.

The result of the first game in this round showed that the Heat can defend very well, especially against Tatum, as they forced him to make 7 turnovers. However, the upcoming game will probably not be easy for the Heat as the Celtics will obviously try their best to keep the Heat from winning their second game in a row. In addition, the Celtics have already confirmed Smart and Horford will play tonight.

[TravelMug]

What a good display of shooting by the Celtics in the first quarter. They initially trailed by 10 points but then made a bunch of 3's to closed the first quarter with 11 point lead. Jaylen Brown leads the attack from the Celtics. Tatum though has 2 fouls and have to sit with still 5 minutes in the first quarter but that's where the Boston started their run, when Tatum was on the bench. Let's see if the Heat will have the response in the 2nd quarter.

[Bttzed03]

It doesn't look like Buttler and the rest of the team could handle a full strength Celtics team. They have to do better the offensively and defensively in the first half if they want to win this series. Unlike in game 1, the Heat could not overturn the huge Celtics lead in the first half. Looking forward to the adjustments of both coaches in game 3.

[dimonstration]

It doesn't look like Buttler and the rest of the team could handle a full strength Celtics team. They have to do better the offensively and defensively in the first half if they want to win this series. Unlike in game 1, the Heat could not overturn the huge Celtics lead in the first half. Looking forward to the adjustments of both coaches in game 3.

Yeah. The 2 players that just got back in the game contribute a lot on defense while Tatum is free to do whatever he wants without any pressure unlike what happened on game 1 that he can't have enough space to do a clear shot since he has a lot of defender while the rest of his team mates has no threat to score more. Boston is very strong if Tatum has someone to rely on especially on defensive and offensive rebound which Horford and Smart contribute a lot on this game today.

Boston will surely massacre heat on there home court for the game 4 & 5 while Miami need to get a win on Boston court to keep alive there NBA finals chance. They still got it if they will tighten there defense to Tatum more.

[OgNasty]

Al Horford went 4-4 from the field and Marcus Smart nearly had a triple double. The Celtics were definitely glad to have them back in the lineup. Their defense kept everyone except for Jimmy Butler below 15 points. The 25 point loss makes the game seem closer than it was. The Heat are in a little trouble now. They need to prove game 1 wasn’t a fluke and they can compete against a full Celtics team or else this is going to be the end of their season in 3 more games. They play each other again on Saturday.

[inthelongrun]

Al Horford went 4-4 from the field and Marcus Smart nearly had a triple double. The Celtics were definitely glad to have them back in the lineup. Their defense kept everyone except for Jimmy Butler below 15 points. The 25 point loss makes the game seem closer than it was. The Heat are in a little trouble now. They need to prove game 1 wasn’t a fluke and they can compete against a full Celtics team or else this is going to be the end of their season in 3 more games. They play each other again on Saturday.

Interesting. I do think Miami Heat played not bad at all. It's just that the Celtic's offense was superb. They were shooting like 50% in the 3-point line. The confidence is really there when Marcus Smart is playing. I hope Kyle Lowry can return in Miami's line-up in game 3. And of course we are all hoping that P.J. Tucker is just fine and can continue with the remaining games. He is so important in this playoffs.   

[danherbias07]

Al Horford went 4-4 from the field and Marcus Smart nearly had a triple double. The Celtics were definitely glad to have them back in the lineup. Their defense kept everyone except for Jimmy Butler below 15 points. The 25 point loss makes the game seem closer than it was. The Heat are in a little trouble now. They need to prove game 1 wasn’t a fluke and they can compete against a full Celtics team or else this is going to be the end of their season in 3 more games. They play each other again on Saturday.

Post-game interview with Butler saying he was the one to blame for not distributing the ball well. I don't think that's the only problem.
As I said on the other thread, they have to lock Tatum, or else it will be trouble. 21 1st half points for him and that's a lot. PJ Tucker was being dragged by the ball rotation that is happening and that's thanks to Marcus Smart's return.
Miami Heat is in big trouble, they need a point, a playmaker who can accurately distribute the ball, especially to Bam who can obviously dominate the paint.

[TopT3ns]

It doesn't look like Buttler and the rest of the team could handle a full strength Celtics team. They have to do better the offensively and defensively in the first half if they want to win this series. Unlike in game 1, the Heat could not overturn the huge Celtics lead in the first half. Looking forward to the adjustments of both coaches in game 3.

I think from our analysis we can conclude like that but I really believe Buttler still has a chance when the Celtics make a mistake and Buttler can take advantage of it, it will make the Celtics lose, in this match you have to be patient and move quickly when you find opportunities that can be utilized to the fullest possible.

[LogitechMouse]

Al Horford went 4-4 from the field and Marcus Smart nearly had a triple double. The Celtics were definitely glad to have them back in the lineup. Their defense kept everyone except for Jimmy Butler below 15 points. The 25 point loss makes the game seem closer than it was. The Heat are in a little trouble now. They need to prove game 1 wasn’t a fluke and they can compete against a full Celtics team or else this is going to be the end of their season in 3 more games. They play each other again on Saturday.

We can see the difference of Smart and Horford in the court and both of them not in the court.
They are a big boost of morale and to the team and because of that, the performance of all members will automatically level up.

An almost triple-double for Smart and 10 points for Horford, with 6 players in double figures. What really made the Celtics steal in Game 2 is like what they did in Bucks in Game 7. Three point shots. Tonight, they shot 20/40 with 50% FG. That's high already. I think I'll agree with what you said that the Heat are in a bit of trouble right now. They need to adjust their defense in the next 2 games and at least defend the three point area because that is the Celtics' key to victory. Butler scored only 29 points tonight after scoring 41 points in Game 1. Did anybody see Smart breaking the ankles of Strus?

[Dave1]

Al Horford went 4-4 from the field and Marcus Smart nearly had a triple double. The Celtics were definitely glad to have them back in the lineup. Their defense kept everyone except for Jimmy Butler below 15 points. The 25 point loss makes the game seem closer than it was. The Heat are in a little trouble now. They need to prove game 1 wasn’t a fluke and they can compete against a full Celtics team or else this is going to be the end of their season in 3 more games. They play each other again on Saturday.

We can see the difference of Smart and Horford in the court and both of them not in the court.
They are a big boost of morale and to the team and because of that, the performance of all members will automatically level up.

An almost triple-double for Smart and 10 points for Horford, with 6 players in double figures. What really made the Celtics steal in Game 2 is like what they did in Bucks in Game 7. Three point shots. Tonight, they shot 20/40 with 50% FG. That's high already. I think I'll agree with what you said that the Heat are in a bit of trouble right now. They need to adjust their defense in the next 2 games and at least defend the three point area because that is the Celtics' key to victory. Butler scored only 29 points tonight after scoring 41 points in Game 1. Did anybody see Smart breaking the ankles of Strus?

I agree, Smart had the biggest impact in this game as he lock in Butler and game them the dose of their own medicine in the first quarter. Yeah, sure Butler has 29 points, but it was already a lost game in the 3rd quarter unlike in game 1 wherein they made a comeback. It was a different Celtics team when their line up is complete.

You mean this ankle breaker  ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY9MnTZW9YU

[Dart18]

Surprise, surprise. Like saying their first "Hello!" to the Miami Heat and their fans. Marcus Smart proved a lot today, he is a big impact to the Celtics team and without him is like taking out the beating heart of the team.
I want to witness how the Miami Heat will adjust to it, we know they are good at it because of their deep bench. What they did during the last quarter was warm up their 2nd bench team like Duncan Robinson. Spoelstra must have a big plan next game.