Mat Issa

Sterling Heights

PBWA NBA Writer @OptaAnalyst @ForbesSports @SportcastingNBA | 🏀 Coach | Pod: w/@AlexHoops_ | MSU JD Grad ‘24 | email: [email protected]

Articles

NBA Finals Predictions: How the Pacers Can Keep the Momentum Going Against the Thunder in Game 2

3 weeks ago | theanalyst.com | Mat Issa

The Pacers pulled offanother unbelievable comeback win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Here’show they can build on the momentum and shock the Thunderagain. Normally, the focus in a Game 2 lookahead is on how the teamthat lost the series opener can look to improve and change theoutcome in their favor. However, anyone who watched Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals cantell you the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t lose it as much as theIndiana Pacers won it down the stretch.
2025 NBA Free Agents: Landry Shamet Has Evolved

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 28: Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game ... More against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on February 28, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Phoenix Suns Make Right Call Hiring Jordan Ott As New Head Coach

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 18: Summer League head coach Jordan Ott of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on ... More against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 93-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Why The Indiana Pacers Run To The NBA Finals Is Unlike Any Other

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 27: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a three point ... More shot during the second quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Partner-in-Crime: Jalen Williams Has Proven He Can Be the Second Option the Thunder Need

3 weeks ago | theanalyst.com | Mat Issa

It’s been a bumpy ridefor Jalen Williams in the playoffs, but he proved against theTimberwolves he’s the perfect second banana for theThunder. No man is an island. This is true for life and especially forbasketball. Throughout history, almost every star who has propelled a teamto a championship has been aided by a sidekick. Michael Jordan hadScottie Pippen. LeBron James had Dwayne Wade (and then KyrieIrving, then Anthony Davis). Shaquille O’Neal had Kobe Bryant (ordid Bryant have O’Neal?).
Why Cason Wallace Will Be The Next Breakout Star The Thunder Produce

4 weeks ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of a dominant march to the NBA Finals, posting the best net rating by a Finals team since the superteam 2016-17 Golden State Warriors. And if you thought the Thunder were too much to handle right now, this postseason has proved that they still have another future star waiting to burst onto the scene. Cason Wallace Has Been Great For The Thunder In The 2025 PlayoffsCason Wallace didn’t amaze anyone with his playoff debut last season.
Which Teams Could Trade For Darius Garland Or Jarrett Allen?

1 month ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

The 2025 offseason is expected to be a busy one, and one of the teams that could be an active player in all the mayhem is the Cleveland Cavaliers. After their best season since LeBron James left town, the Cavaliers fizzled out in the second round of the playoffs for the second time in as many years, bringing back concerns about the overlapping skillsets of their four best players. Individually, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are fantastic players.
Underrated 2025 Free Agents: Amir Coffey Is The NBA’s Best Kept Secret

1 month ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

With the 2024-25 season nearing its conclusion, it is time to start looking ahead to the offseason. In this article series, we will take a look at under-the-radar options in the 2025 Free Agency Pool. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to focus primarily on unrestricted free agents. In their grueling seven-game series with the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers played nine guys meaningful minutes. None of those minutes were allocated to Amir Coffey, though.
This “Smart” Play Is Ruining Games (And The NBA Needs To Fix It)

1 month ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

After three games of blowouts, we finally got the prize fight we were looking for in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder looked evenly matched, with both teams going blow-for-blow for nearly 48 minutes. And after a missed free throw by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Timberwolves possession of the ball down three points with nine seconds to go, it seemed like we were primed for a grand finale.
The Sneaky Trade That Helped Complete The Pacers Title Contending Core

1 month ago | forbes.com | Mat Issa

After beating the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (in spectacular fashion, might I add), the Indiana Pacers are now just three wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years. And considering where they were just a few years ago – annual first round fodder in an uninspiring conference – many folks are likely reflecting on all the timely transactions that got them to this point. Some of it was diligent prospect evaluation.