The Big Number

Dan Devine and Tom Haberstroh break down the historic matchup between the Indiana Pacers & Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. With only a 1% chance of this pairing at the start of the season, the hosts dissect why both teams surged to the top, challenging long-held NBA assumptions about youth, roster continuity, and midseason trades. The conversation spotlights star performances from Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plus the impact of strategic additions like Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. The episode explores why these Finals are one of the most improbable in recent memory, what sets each team apart, and what this means for the future of team-building in the NBA.

Don’t miss the discussion on what’s next for the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, and the unique blend of clutch play, defense, and team chemistry fueling this unlikely Finals.

(1:10) - Pacers & Thunder defy all odds to face off in the NBA Finals

(20:40) - Why Thunder excel at avoiding turnovers

(26:15) - Caruso & Hartenstein fuel OKC's defensive engine

(31:50) - Pacers: clutchest team in the NBA?

(34:50) - Pacers & Thunder have both dominated in 2025

(43:20) - What's next for the Timberwolves?

(50:00) - What's next for the Knicks?

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine have uncovered the jaw-dropping truth: the Oklahoma City Thunder now possess "the best defense in Playoff history." The guys explain what OKC is doing to make things so uncomfortable for their opponents, and how the juggernaut defense likely won't be solved any time soon.

(1:05) - Is the Thunder defense best in postseason history?
(10:05) - Numbers behind Thunder's suffocating defense
(15:20) - Live-ball turnovers forced by Thunder defense
(19:10) - How Thunder stifled Anthony Edwards
(22:40) - Thunder shut down Wolves' corner threes
(28:10) - How will SGA's MVP win be remembered?

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine have unearthed the data that shows Indiana is NOT to be messed with. The Big Number guys explain how the Pacers laid waste to the #1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers, and likely won't be stopped anytime soon. Plus the guys ask the question, would Nico Harrison ever, shockingly, consider trading the #1 overall pick? What caliber of superstar would need to be offered to the Mavs' GM for him to come off of Cooper Flagg?!? The guys think Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks may convince Nico to do the unthinkable (again)!

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine answer the question "do the Warriors have a chance WITHOUT Steph Curry?" The answer may surprise you. Plus, are the Indiana Pacers starting to show they're a team of destiny? Tyrese Haliburton's numbers in the clutch will leave you stunned. But not as stunned as Cleveland Cavaliers fans... yikes! The insanity of the NBA Playoffs is peaking and Tom and Dan are here to break it all down on this installment of The Big Number.

(1:20) The Big Number: 0

(20:29) Little Numbers: Warriors possessions in the bonus

(24:47) Little Numbers: Anthony Edwards Game 1

(29:02) Little Numbers: Draymond Green contested shots

(30:45) Little Numbers: Warriors offensive rebounding

(36:30) Pacers stun Cavaliers AGAIN

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the New York Knicks' offensive struggles. Could they actually blow this series to the Detroit Pistons?

Plus, Tom and Dan have unearthed the numbers that prove this is one of the most exciting NBA postseasons of ALL-TIME, and the 1st round is still going!

The duo also recap the Milwaukee Bucks blowing a 7-point lead with 40 seconds left on Tuesday night to end their season, and perhaps the Giannis Era in Milwaukee. How did things get so bad for the Bucks that they may have no choice but to entertain offers for their generational superstar? It's here on this installment of The Big Number.

(1:05) - What makes this first round so competitive

(16:05) - Cade Cunningham’s early dominance

(18:55) - Knicks’ concerning pace of play

(24:35) - Jalen Duren making plays for Detroit

(28:25) - Knicks offensive struggles without Brunson

(32:20) - Should Bucks trade Giannis?

(46:55) - Cavs-Pacers thoughts & predictions

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On today's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dug up the data that proves Luka Doncic is LeBron James' greatest teammate of all-time. Sorry Dwyane Wade, our bad Kyrie Irving, apologies Anthony Davis -- Tom and Dan have the data that shows why #77 on the purple and gold gets this honor. But is Head Coach JJ Redick putting too much on the shoulders of his newcomer? And what does Anthony Edwards need to do offensively to break out in this series as it shifts back to Minnesota?

Plus, Jayson Tatum has been Mr. Durability for the Boston Celtics for nearly a decade now, but this latest wrist injury has Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine concerned.

(3:05) The Big Number: Luka’s points in playoffs

(11:18) Luka’s minutes on the bench

(15:30) Minnesota wide-open 3-pointers vs. LAL

(19:35) Gobert impact on Wolves defensive rating

(23:16) Edwards pick-n-roll points per possession

(27:30) Jayson Tatum doubtful for Game 2 vs. Magic

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Join Tom Haberstroh and Henry Abbott, of TrueHoop.com, as they delve into the intricacies of the current NBA injury crisis. Henry shares insights from his upcoming book, "Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance," exploring the alarming injury rate in the NBA and the world at large.

The two talk about how biomechanics, particularly the role of hips, are pivotal for athletes to achieve peak performance and longevity.  Abbott shares his experiences with Dr. Marcus Elliott and the Peak Performance Project (P3) and emphasizes that injuries are not inevitable but avoidable with the proper prevention care.

(0:41) Henry Abbott joins the show

(2:26) The Big Number: 6,000 NBA games missed due to injury

(17:46) Little Number: 72% decrease in heart disease deaths

(20:46) Little Number: 11,000 newtons of force

(28:00) Little Number: 300% increase in chances of back pain

(32:52) Little Number: $45 million Suns performance facility

(40:26) How to prevent injuries now & in the future

(43:20) P3 breathing exercise

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine unravel how the Denver Nuggets got to the point this week where they felt it necessary to totally clean house. On this new episode of The Big Number, Tom uncorks a jawdropping stat about the total lack of help Nikola Jokic got this season from his coaches, his front office and his teammates. Dan and Tom see the writing on the wall, and why a MASSIVE trade (or two) could be coming this summer. Plus, where the team goes from here as they search for their new HC and GM.

Later, Tom and Dan are joined by Portland Trail Blazers star Toumani Camara, who reflects on his growth as a player, ranking second in the NBA for defensive stops and embracing his role with the Blazers, where he excels in guarding top players and taking charges.

(00:45) - Were the Nuggets right to fire Michael Malone?

(15:30) - Conference finals teams need good defenses

(21:50) - Denver's concerning dependence on Jokic

(26:20) - Lack of production from Denver's young core

(31:55) - Murray, Porter Jr. and Gordon's HUGE contracts

(39:15) - Toumani Camara joins the show!

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down Ja Morant's unique, disturbing decline in PPG the last 3 years. Could Ja actually be past his prime already? The chaos of this season for the Memphis Grizzlies, which has seen the firing of HC Taylor Jenkins, may have culminated on Tuesday when Ja Morant seemed to do yet another "gun" gesture that the NBA is now investigating, too. Speaking of Western Conference contenders, the Thursday night tilt between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors is also previewed in full on this must-watch edition of The Big Number.

(00:55) - The Big Number: Ja Morant's declining PPG

(17:20) - Grizzlies using Ja less in pick-and-roll

(22:25) - Ja has missed over half of Grizzlies' regular season games since 2021

(25:50) - Grizzlies defensive struggles in 2025

(30:20) - Grizzlies can't beat good teams?

(34:10) - Warriors vs. Lakers preview

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine weigh in on why Anthony Davis is THE most important player with 10 games remaining in the NBA regular season. Patrick Dumont and Nico Harrison get to see whether their high-stakes gamble pays off in the short term, as AD currently has an outside shot to drag the Dallas Mavericks into the Play-In and then perhaps the Playoffs. Plus, Dan explains how the next tier of "most important players" with 10 games to go includes Aaron Gordon, Devin Booker, Jaden McDaniels and Kawhi Leonard — with the Western Conference Playoff picture heating up more each day. And the guys discuss Damian Lillard's DVT diagnosis and how it impacts the Milwaukee Bucks in the short-term, and perhaps additionally impacting Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with Milwaukee in the long run.

(1:00) - Big Number: Can Anthony Davis carry the Dallas Mavericks?

(16:45) - Aaron Gordon elevates the Denver Nuggets defense

(21:20) - Devin Booker's impact on the Phoenix Suns

(25:30) - Kawhi Leonard surging with the Los Angeles Clippers

(29:00) - Jaden McDaniels is sinking 3's for the Minnesota Timberwolves

(33:45) - Over/under scoreboard update

(37:15) - LeBron says Giannis could score 250 a game in the 1970's

(41:10) - Where do the Milwaukee Bucks go from here?

Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

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