NBA Daily Wrap-up

Welcome to Big Dill Sports, where we dive into the latest and greatest in the world of basketball. I'm Dillon, and today is Monday, May 5th, 2025. If you love a good hoops story, you've tuned in to the right place. Let’s get into today’s NBA Daily Wrap-Up, where we’re breaking down the playoff action that kept us all on the edge of our seats last night.

Starting off in the Eastern Conference with the Indiana Pacers making a statement in their semifinal matchup. The Pacers snagged a 1-0 lead by taking down the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112. The spotlight in this game was on Andrew Nembhard, who put up 23 points, setting the pace for Indiana. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton was nothing short of spectacular, contributing 22 points, 13 assists, and tossing in three crucial blocks to keep the Cavaliers at bay. It was a solid team effort, with Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith both adding 17 points each. Myles Turner was a force in the paint, earning a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

On the other side, Donovan Mitchell was a force to be reckoned with for the Cavaliers, dropping 33 points. Mitchell made a little bit of history too, managing his eighth consecutive 30-point game in playoff series openers, surpassing the legendary Michael Jordan. However, his shooting from distance was cold, just hitting 1 of 11 three-point tries. Missing Darius Garland due to a toe injury was definitely felt in Cleveland's lineup.

Switching gears to the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors made a historic splash last night. The Warriors, who entered the playoffs as the seventh seed, stormed through to the semifinals by sending the Houston Rockets packing with a 103-89 win in Game 7. Buddy Hield was the man of the hour, delivering a performance for the ages. He set a new Game 7 record by splashing nine three-pointers on his way to 33 points. And of course, Stephen Curry added his magic touch, scoring 22 points—14 of which came in a clutch fourth quarter—along with grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out seven assists.

The Warriors have now become the seventh No. 7 seed in NBA history to reach the semi-finals and are gearing up to face the Minnesota Timberwolves next. It's safe to say, with Curry and Hield firing on all cylinders, Golden State is in for a thrilling ride ahead. As for the Rockets, their key players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun struggled to find their rhythm when it mattered most.

And now, for the segment you've been waiting for: today’s 'Big Dill' player. It’s Buddy Hield, who was undoubtedly a big deal last night. Setting a Game 7 record for three-pointers and leading his Warriors into the next round, Buddy stepped up when his team needed it the most. The Warriors will need his shooting prowess to continue if they plan to make a serious run at the title.

That’s all for today’s NBA Daily Wrap-Up. Thanks for hanging out with me on Big Dill Sports, where we serve up the biggest stories with a side of fresh insights. Be sure to join me tomorrow as we dive into more action from around the league. Until then, keep shooting your shot, and I'll catch you on the rebound!