Entertainment

Now Playing: The 2025 NBA Finals

A compelling matchup worthy of everyone’s attention

Image from x/com/NBAJPN

Published

June 11, 2025

GadgetMatch

After several rounds of drama, exhilarating action, and unforgettable moments, the NBA is down to its thrilling conclusion: the 2025 NBA Finals.

This postseason, it’s the West top seed Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder going up against the gritty Indiana Pacers from the East.

So far, it’s 1-1 in the best-of-7 series. The Pacers stole Game 1, 111-110 behind Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second heroics. The Thunder then bounced back with a more dominant Game 2 performance, 123-107, to level the tally

For many, the match up is a breath of fresh air. And the first two games quickly attested to that.

New stars

Over the last decade, franchises led by NBA superstars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum all won titles.

And while the newly-minted NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably one of the newer “faces” of the league, it’s clear to pundits that the matchup offers something unpredictable — something fans have not seen in a long while.

You’ve got two relatively smaller-market teams duking it out for the crown; two franchises that have not had much success this century in the playoffs.

It is that same unpredictability that all the more makes the series compelling, interesting, and worthy of everyone’s attention.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBA (@nba)

The Thunder are young, hungry, and raring to go. They have not won a title for the city (although the NBA considers the Thunder and Seattle Supersonics history as one).

The last time they made the finals was when Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook were all budding stars before carving out their own superstar careers for different franchises.

With a league-best record and a capable group, all signs point to OKC finally bagging home the chip.

Underdogs on paper, the Pacers, meanwhile, have proved doubters wrong time and again. They took down more favored contenders, with the group performing like a well-oiled machine.

They’re coached by a veteran tactician in Rick Carlisle who knows success at the highest level as well.

The Pacers shook the Eastern Conference throughout these playoffs. They’re also excellent on the road, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they are able to pull one more major trick up their sleeves in these NBA Finals.

Road to the NBA Finals

Choosing the right players always has its benefits for franchises wanting to build championship-caliber teams.

There are many schools of thought for NBA teams when it comes to this. There’s building through the draft, trading for superstars, or signing key free agents during the offseason.

Arguably, both the Pacers and Thunder are a mix of all three. But for each category, it cannot be denied that both squads made shrewd decisions in picking key cogs to boost their championship bids.

It’s much like players on Daily Fantasy — a new way to enjoy live basketball. They must strategize well in picking a maximum of eight NBA players — a maximum of four per position — for their fantasy team.

Each pick is crucial in earning points. Captains and vice-captains also add 2X and 1.5X multipliers, so assigning these roles to bonafide stars will boost players’ chances of winning Daily Fantasy games.

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder

Regular season record: 68-14, league-best

Playoffs:

1st round: Def. (8) Memphis Grizzlies, 4-0
2nd round: Def. (4) Denver Nuggets, 4-3
Conference Finals: Def. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1

(4) Indiana Pacers

Regular season record: 50-32, 4th in the East

Playoffs:

1st round: Def. (5) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-1
2nd round: Def. (1) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1
Conference Finals: Def. (3) New York Knicks, 4-2

NBA Finals schedule

Game 1: Pacers def. Thunder, 111-110 (June 5)
Game 2: Thunder def. Pacers, 123-107 (June 8)
Game 3: Thunder @ Pacers, June 11
Game 4: Thunder @ Pacers, June 13
Game 5: Pacers @ Thunder, June 16*
Game 6: Thunder @ Pacers, June 19*
Game 7: Pacers @ Thunder, June 22*

Regular season match-ups

December 26, 2024: Thunder def. Pacers, 120-114
March 29, 2025: Thunder def. Pacers, 132-111

Key players

When it comes down to the NBA Finals, head coaches usually trim down their rotations to about eight or nine players per contest.

As the finals have shown so far, key players get more minutes than they do in the regular season. It’s about taking charge in high-pressure situations.

And coaches have a hand in ensuring the decisions they make affect the overall performance of the team positively.

For instance, in Game 1, the Pacers’ decision to play Obi Toppin late led to him draining five three-pointers and helping Indiana’s late comeback to steal the series opener.

But in Game 2, the strength of OKC’s bench, behind Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins who combined for 38 points, proved vital for the Thunder’s toppling of the Pacers to level the series.

In a way, this is exactly how you rule Daily Fantasy games on a regular basis. It’s about making the most out of the cards you’re dealt with.

Choose the best combination of eight players, taking into account their positions, what they can do on the floor, and how well they fill the stat sheets. You’re the coach, they’re the group, and together, you’ll make magic on the virtual hardcourt.

OKC Thunder

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Oklahoma City Thunder (@okcthunder)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Playoff stats: 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 9.2 free throw attempts, 2.3 turnovers

Jalen Williams

Playoff stats: 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.6 steals

OKC’s success in the playoffs so far largely had to do with its all-star duo of SGA and Jalen Williams. Everyone knows what the NBA’s latest MVP is capable of doing, but Williams played bigger when the stakes were higher.

Interestingly, SGA also dropped 33 and 45 points in OKC’s two regular season meetings against Indiana. He has a way of picking apart defenses to create for himself and his team. This will be key for OKC’s offense throughout these finals.

Indiana Pacers

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Indiana Pacers (@pacers)

Tyrese Haliburton

Playoff stats: 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.1 steals

Pascal Siakam

Playoff stats: 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 53.7% FGs, 46.3% 3-PT FGs

Meanwhile, Indiana’s own all-star pairing of Haliburton and Siakam likewise gave the Pacers hope. Not the favorites to win it all, let alone to prevail in the East, the two orchestrated their team’s success as they took down their more favored counterparts and earn a spot in the last dance.

Indiana will go as far as where these two take them, against a team with the best defensive rating all season long.

X-Factors

OKC Thunder

Chet Holmgren

Playoff stats: 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 blocks

Alex Caruso

Playoff stats: 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals

What’s interesting is that Holmgren has not played in the two regular season meetings against the Pacers. Now that he’s fully healthy and part of the mix, his tall frame and all-around offensive capabilities will command attention.

Caruso, meanwhile, is known to make the most out of his minutes on the floor. He takes care of business defensively, whether his hustle reflects on the stat sheet or not.

Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner

Playoff stats: 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks

Andrew Nembhard

Playoff stats: 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 48.3% 3-PT FGs

Aaron Nesmith

Playoff stats: 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 50% 3-PT FGs

Now a veteran big, Turner will be needed against an intimidating OKC frontline. He will likely be matched against Isaiah Hartenstein, who is among OKC’s top rebounders. Controlling the glass and ensuring the Pacers manage the possessions may end up as one of the difference-makers in the series.

Moreover, the starting wing duo of Nembhard and Nesmith will let Indiana throw different bodies at SGA. Both two-way threats, the wingmen should be able to help the team offensively by stretching the floor. On the other side of the court, they should tire out OKC’s main playmakers, starting with their superstar.

Play and win with your own pick of players

Up the stakes and the rewards as you enjoy the intense matches of the NBA Finals with Daily Fantasy.

After creating an account and signing up, players may immediately get going by fulfilling daily tasks to earn free-to-play virtual currency to test the water. They may also head on to the coin-based contest and win big easily with as low as Php 10 entry fee.

Contests, of course, depend on the actual NBA matchups on a particular day. And as it is currently the conference finals, there is only one game per day.

Build your team with up to 8 NBA players, selecting from no more than two teams.

You can stack your lineup with stars from a single franchise or mix talent across teams — it’s your call.

Just remember, no more than four (4) players per position.

The users with higher overall scores in contests will win rewards. There are various contest types, like the mega-prized “Winner Takes All”, where the top 1 fantasy scorer will walk away with more than PhP 100,000 with just a low entry fee of PhP 10.

A hot contest that is available on Daily Fantasy now is Shop All You Can at the NBA Store. Just be the highest fantasy point earner for special-tagged contests from all NBA Finals matches to secure this shopping spree.

The mechanics are available here: https://www.playdailyfantasy.com/event/shopallyoucan. Download the Daily Fantasy app here to get started.

Entertainment

SEGA, Netflix announce Crazy Taxi film adaptation

1st in planned slate of film adaptations, including Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN

Published

September 18, 2026

GadgetMatch

SEGA and Netflix have announced a new Crazy Taxi film adaptation. This will usher in a new collaboration era with the parties also developing adaptations for Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN.

Such a slate of future adaptations reflects the range of SEGA’s library as it draws on Netflix’s experience bringing beloved game worlds to new audiences.

The first project features Crazy Taxi, which will be written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. The beloved writing duo was behind the 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun.

Also on board to help helm the production are the same visionaries behind the Sonic franchise: Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara.

Crazy Taxi has been an arcade hit since 1999, putting players behind the wheel of a fearless cabbie racing the clock through chaotic city streets.

There’s flying off ramps, dodging traffic, and chasing tips with punk-rock energy that has become the series’ signature.

The latest title in the franchise, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, is set for a 2027 release. You can watch its trailer below:

Entertainment

Now Playing: Resident Evil

Horror and comedy join forces in Zach Cregger’s latest masterpiece.

Published

September 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The intersection between horror and comedy is separated by a thin wall of air. In modern times, we’ve seen comedy legends, such as Jordan Peele and John Krasinski, make the successful jump into horror. Some have theorized that laughter is a pain response, which links it to the adrenaline-filled thrill of experiencing horror. Personally, I believe that mastering comedic timing also complements the timing of scary moments in horror. Comedy-trained directors just get it. That’s why the melding of the two genres is always something to look for, and that’s why Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is a must watch.

Coming from last year’s Weapons, Cregger established himself in the annals of horror history, despite learning the art of filmmaking from cult comedy classics like Miss March and The Whitest Kids U’Know. Weapons (and Barbarian before it) expertly balances the essentials of horror with dark comedy. If you’ve seen either of these movies, then you know what you’re in for with Resident Evil.

Based on the games or the past movies?

Resident Evil is tagged as second reboot of the movie franchise after 2021’s disastrous attempt, starring Kaya Scodelario, which barely registered a hiccup in the oeuvre of Resident Evil films. However, like 2021’s failure, Cregger’s take bases itself primarily on the events of the games, specifically around the plot of Resident Evil 2.

Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, is tasked with delivering a top-priority package to Raccoon City. Unbeknownst to him, the way leading into Raccoon City (and the fabled city itself) is already overrun with mutated monstrosities.

And so, Bryan, a courier inexperienced with combat (much less surviving against zombies), must fight his way into the city to deliver his charge.

A worthy protagonist

Over the years, the franchise has seesawed between capable action heroes, like Leon Kennedy, and those who can barely survive, like Biohazard‘s Ethan Winters. On that scale, Bryan falls deeply into Winters’s side of the spectrum. He’s ill-equipped to survive a zombie apocalypse. He even admits that his barebones knowledge of guns comes from videogames. He attempts to shoot locks, thinking they’d work as they do in games. He is not a character you’d want to follow if you’re looking for a gruff man gunning down hordes of zombies with a machine gun.

But that’s exactly what makes this horror film worth watching. Bryan is us. Though there were times I was screaming at the screen because he wouldn’t do the obviously logical thing of running away from blatant traps, our fragile protagonist mimics how we would all react in a horrific situation: a deer in the headlights stuck staring.

Every situation feels more frightful. You don’t know how you’d react. He doesn’t know how he’d react. We’re just stuck trailing along for his ride. If he lingers too long looking at a zombie about to bite him, you have no choice but to look along with him. As a horror protagonist, he’s perfect.

When a camera does the work

Of course, inept protagonists aren’t new to horror. Practically all good horror films will feature a helpless hero standing up to the monster. See: the “final girl” era of horror.

Resident Evil elevates this trope by allowing the camera to do the heavy lifting. The film’s expert transitions into first-person perspectives and over-the-shoulder ones amp up the frights. When Bryan sweeps a room with a gun, the camera takes you down to the muzzle. You become the one sweeping along with him. You see the darkness as he does. The style creates an impressive layer of immersion that brings you into his trauma. Plus, if we’re going with comparisons, the transitions feel like a game taking you from a cutscene back into control of your character.

And it’s not just the perspectives, too. The film mimics several tense moments oft found in horror games, like gingerly creeping through a thin ledge when one false move can mean plummeting to your death. Resident Evil also has scenes in a dark tunnel, the sewers, and an overrun hospital. It’s a veritable who’s who of horror settings. But they all just work. It’s like you’re in a Resident Evil game.

When goofy becomes scary

But that’s enough of how the movie was made. How scary is it?

Taking them from their respective contexts, each monster is goofy. There’s an infirm zombie spewing acid bile that Bryan just bullies around. There’s a seemingly innocent young girl with a tentacle foot. There’s a zombie katamari.

And if that’s not enough, the casting is filled with masters of comedic timing like Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Austin Abrams himself. The first two play bumbling representatives of Umbrella Corporation, people who are too incompetent to do their job. Abrams is the bumbling everyman who can’t make heads or tails of what’s happening. Comedy is a living, breathing presence in this film.

But that’s not to say that this is a comedy film. The horror is still top notch. Cregger just knows how to time everything right.

Unlike modern films today, like in The Conjuring universe, Resident Evil is not a scare-a-minute film. It will not bombard you with jumpscares.

Now, to be fair, there are a fair bit including fakeouts. In fact, under normal circumstances, I’d dislike how many there are. But here, each jumpscare comes with a lengthy period to catch your breath. The film gives you time to relax, to laugh, and, eventually, lower your guard for the next scare. It’s a balanced pace that’s kept up throughout the entire film.

This is exactly how you should pace a horror movie.

Should you watch Resident Evil?

Even with its uniquely comedic style, Resident Evil is one of the most faithful adaptations of a video game I’ve ever seen. Like a game, Cregger’s pacing knows when to let you, the viewer, breathe and when to thrust you back into its monstrosities.

Humor will always go hand in hand with horror. Though the responses to these two categories are technically different, they’re both genres about facing the unexpected. On the box, Resident Evil says that it’s a horror film, but it’s so much more. If you want to laugh, cry, and cower in fear all in the same movie, this is the movie to watch.

Entertainment

Max vs 100 will feature Max Verstappen race against 100 go-karters

The live event will stream at midnight on September 17.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As a child, one of my favorite thought experiments is to imagine who would win in a fight between my favorite characters at the time and a number of other random beings. For example, will Superman prevail against 100 Magnetos? Those are the ways I kept my young mind occupied. Now, as a former child, I still do the same thing but with more realistic people, like imagining if Steph Curry can win against 100 high schoolers. This week, ESPN and Disney+ are making one of those imaginary fights real: Formula 1 legend Max Verstappen versus 100 go-karters.

In an upcoming live event streaming exclusively on Disney+, Max vs 100 will pit the four-time world champion against 100 go-karters from everywhere in pop culture. This gaggle of 100 will include popular content creators such as Twitch streamer ExtraEmily, car photographer Larry Chen, and NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews.

All 101 drivers will race around one of the most iconic tracks in Formula 1 history, Silverstone in England. The track will be reconfigured to match the special race.

Of course, this is more than just a parade of go-karts. Max Verstappen will start at the back of the grid, meaning he has to overtake all 100 racers to win. Now, the Dutch driver is no stranger to winning from the back. In 2024, he won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix despite starting from P17 (out of 20 racers). Max vs 100, though familiar for the driver, presents a different challenge. Can he overtake 100 times to win the race?

Max vs 100 will stream live through Disney+ on September 17, 12:00am PHT.