After countless buckets, hundreds of matchups, and months of anticipation, the conference finals are here. Hoops fans: rejoice.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Kevin Garnett, Mario Chalmers, and Raul Neto! 🎉

Playoff Recaps

OKC puts the clamps on, beats Denver 125-93 in Game 7

There are some games that teams just give away. Game 7 was one that the Thunder took.

In a win-or-go-home scenario, OKC put on a defensive showing for the ages, forcing 22 turnovers to crush Denver and send them packing. SGA was nothing short of stupendous, pouring in 35 PTS on 63% shooting, but the Thunder’s tenacious defense was the real star. OKC’s swarming front held Nikola Jokic to just nine shots, produced 39 PTS off turnovers, and closed the first half on an 18-5 run to build a lead the Thunder would not relinquish.

Leading by as many 43 (!!!) in the second half, OKC showed what made them the league’s best team in the regular season: their chemistry. The Thunder are a cohesive unit on both ends led by arguably the best shot creator in basketball—no wonder they looked nearly unbeatable yesterday.

For Denver, the loss marks the end of a solid playoff run that saw them go to war in two seven-game series. After a gutsy victory over the Clippers in Round 1, Denver put up a stellar fight in the second and rose to OKC’s level at every turn. What a series!

Knicks roll by Celtics 119-81, secure first ECF trip since 2000

The last time the New York Knicks were in the Eastern Conference Finals, Rick Brunson was wearing the blue and orange. Now, a new generation is leading the way in the Mecca.

New York downed Boston in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday, securing the Knicks’ first conference finals trip since the start of the millennium. After Boston won big in G5 without Jayson Tatum, the Knicks cut the C’s comeback bid short with a dominant closeout effort. The Knicks made an effort last offseason to assemble a collection of stars that could contend with Boston’s crew, and they did just that in G6—Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby each scored 21+ PTS to lead New York home.

It’s a shocking result for Boston, whose title reign comes to an end earlier than anticipated. Add in Tatum’s Achilles tear and a partial meniscus tear for Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics could look very different to start next season. Regardless, they’re one of the league’s best run franchises and we know they’ll be back.

For New York, it’s a victory over 25 years in the making, and they aren’t done yet. If the Knicks can beat the defending champs, is there any team they can’t?

What to Watch For: Conference Finals Edition

At long last, the NBA’s Final Four is set. Let’s break down some of the storylines you’ll want to keep your eye on as the conference finals unfold: ⬇️

🥊 Brunson vs. Haliburton

Knicks-Pacers is a historic Eastern Conference rivalry, and this series will offer the ultimate modern renewal. And at the center of it all is a competition between two star point guards: Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton.

From last year’s second round to WWE Smackdown, the pair already have plenty of history and will now go head-to-head for a spot in the Finals. Can Hali slow down Brunson, keep him off the free throw line, and stand in the way of his clutch shot-making? Can Brunson limit Hali’s playmaking, prevent shooting outbursts like his six 3PM performance in G5 against Cleveland, and stop any last-second heroics? Only time will tell…

🏠 Home Sweet Home

It’s been extremely difficult for opposing teams to win at OKC’s Paycom Center this season, and the playoffs have been no different. The Thunder were 35-6 at home in the regular season and are 5-1 in the playoffs, including Sunday’s rousing Game 7 win. When the Thunder go on runs like they did against Denver, their home crowd is like no other in the league, and it doesn’t hurt that they wear the darn shirts. Minnesota will have their work cut out for them trying to win in OKC!

🐜 Who’s Taking Down Ant?

It’s no secret that Anthony Edwards is the engine behind Minnesota’s offense, but he can get it done in a variety of ways, whether it’s throwing down show-stopping dunks or raining shots down from beyond the arc. Similarly, the Thunder have made a living off throwing different kinds of defenses at opposing stars. After sticking the lengthy duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on Jokic for much of the Denver series, the Thunder switched things up in Game 7 and put 6’5” Alex Caruso on the three-time MVP.

The result? A string of turnovers, some tough looks, and a W. Watch out for the different looks the Thunder throw at Ant-Man—the right one might just sway the series.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to remember that there’s more to life than outcomes. Just like NBA teams can have great seasons despite a playoff defeat, your worth is about so much more than wins and losses. You rock! See you soon.

Walker Carnathan