The Bill Simmons Podcast
OKC Ends Denver, "Whaddya Do" Second-Round Losers, and Knicks-Pacers Predictions With Ryen Russillo
Mon, 19 May 2025
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react to the Thunder’s blowout Game 7 win against the Nuggets (2:21). Then, Bill and Ryen discuss trade scenarios and what they would do with the assets of the semifinal losers (33:08). Finally, they discuss the Knicks knocking the Celtics out of the playoffs, the Eastern Conference finals matchup, and more (01:30:46). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultra.com/courtside ENJOY RESPONSIBLY ©️ 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA®️ LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: How did OKC perform against Denver in Game 7?
Chapter 2: What are the implications for the teams that lost in Round 2?
Yeah. Well, he's definitely... So I'm at seven.
And that's probably it. OKC... they might have nine or 10. I mean, I think Wallace, I, you know, I've loved him all year. I always put him in my ring or 100 voting, even though I think he plays like 19 minutes a game. But, uh, I just think they're bringing dudes out that Isaiah Joe's not even playing for them. I really like Isaiah Joe Wiggins.
I really like, I almost feel like Wiggins is probably like, fuck, I could probably play 30 minutes for 20 teams in the league. So I guess that's what we're going to find out with, uh, with Minnesota because they're going to need everybody and they're going to be coming at Connelly. They're going to be, they're going to be pressuring. And, um, and I, I don't think it's a great matchup for them.
What do you think the line is? Just out of curiosity for game one. Okay. No. Okay. See Minnesota as a series. Minus 175.
OK, see. I'm going to say higher.
I'm going to say minus 300. And the answer is. Oh, minus 375. Jesus. Well, I think Minnesota has a better chance than that, right? Yeah, that seems with the way Randall's playing.
Um, the first game one line, it's huge. I mean, I already looked at it because I was like, is there a game one scenario there where you go Minnesota easy path so far grind for OKC having to play in Denver that whole time. And the fact that the Western conference has the quicker turnaround than the Eastern conference on this one is brutal.
Um, but they had to do that in case there was going to be a game seven. So it's minus seven and a half for the, for game one. I mean, to me that, um, screams Minnesota plus the seven and a half, feeling like you're hoping to get OKC a little hung over from this series.
If I'm betting against OKC, I'm just betting the money line in a game. Because it feels like they just, they cover those bigger spreads in their defense. If they're up 10, if they're up 12, all of a sudden it's 20 before you blink. But I'd rather just take the, go right against them. Hey, time for a special part of the show brought to you by Workday. Are you a forward thinker?
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