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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
Although the Conference Finals have yet to deliver their verdict, Charles Barkley is already looking ahead to the upcoming Finals. And according to him, the outcome of the upcoming showdown would be an absolute demolition.
One day follows another in these conference finals. On Monday, the Thunder’s objective was not to let the Timberwolves equalize their series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his team-mates fulfilled their mission, albeit with difficulty (128-126), but they are now one step closer to the Finals. All that remains now is to close the deal and find out the outcome of the other ongoing confrontation.
The Pacers also reasserted their dominance against the Knicks. Beaten in Game 3 two days earlier, they were able to count on a great Tyrese Haliburton (32 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists, 4 steals, 0 turnovers) to win (130-121). This should allow them to take a big step towards the Finals.
Charles Barkley sure to know the next NBA champions
As it stands, the most likely scenario would see Indiana and Oklahoma City face off for the first time in the playoffs to claim the title. Charles Barkley, for his part, didn’t have to wait for the Pacers’ victory in the last few hours to decide who he sees as the future champion. Because whoever wins the Eastern Conference Finals, the Thunder will, in his opinion, demolish them. He explains in Inside The NBA:
Charles Barkley: Guys, I’ve told you before: the Finals are going to be the Oklahoma City’s Invitational. No matter who comes out of the East, the Thunder are gonna beat the hell out of them. The Thunder are going to win the title, and anybody who wants to take bets, just come to my damn house, because I can afford it! I’ve been telling you for two months that OKC is the best team.
Clearly convinced by the performance of Mark Daigneault’s men, Barkley sees no world in which the Wolves could spring a surprise and turn things around. Nor does he see the Pacers or Knicks being able to knock them off in the next round. The margin OKC has over its rivals is too wide for any surprise to take place, in his opinion.
Potentially flattered, Shai & Co. are not going to be lulled into complacency by such talk. They’ll need to stay serious over the next few hours if they are to secure their place in the Finals. If they fail to do so, Minnesota will be delighted to make up some of the ground lost and regain hope in the series. It would therefore be best for the Paycom Center residents to put an end to it this Wednesday.
