The 2014 NBA Finals is upon us. After my
beloved Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated, my eyes were set on a Spurs/Heat rematch and now we have it.
Just like a
tightly contested CageFight, everyone wants to see an automatic rematch. Will there be a decisive winner on the Court this time around? Either way, I'm betting the fans win again.
NBA Finals 2014: San Antonio Spurs VS Miami Heat (Sydney schedule)
G1. Heat @ San Antonio. 11am, Friday June 6
G2. Heat @ San Antonio. 10am, Monday June 9
G3. Spurs @ Miami. 11am, Wednesday June 11
G4. Spurs @ Miami. 11am, Friday June 13
G5. Heat @ San Antonio. 10am, Monday June 16 (if necessary)
G6. Spurs @ Miami. 11am, Wednesday June 18 (if necessary)
G7. Heat @ San Antonio. 11am, Saturday June 21 (if necessary)
Below are profiles of the best venues to catch the NBA Finals in Sydney:
1) PLAY Bar, Surry Hills
 |
PLAY Bar, Surry Hills
(near Central Station) |
PLAY Bar in conjunction with Nighthawk Diner and HalfSleeve Clothing have been
supporting the NBA Playoffs from the start. I've attended a few raucous Game 7s amongst Diehard fans. During the recent closeout Game 6 where San Antonio dispatched OKC, the Bar was awash in Black and White. Patty Mills' cousin also in attendance cheering the team along.
The communal and knowledgeable crowd aside, the menu provided by
'NightHawk Diner' is an awesome "And One". Gourmet Nachos and Subs offered at $7 offers great value, I've definitely been here enough times to have sampled the entire menu.
PLAY Bar
Basement 72 Campbell Street,
Surry Hills, Sydney
w: playbar.com.au
p: (02) 9280 0885
b) Palings Kitchen & Bar [Ivy], Wynyard
 |
PALINGS Kitchen & Bar, Wynyard
(near Wynyard Station) |
Merivale has come on board for the NBA Finals. Boasting "The Biggest Screen in the CBD" it offers the largest site for watching the NBA Finals alongside the '24/7 Sports Bar' at Star Casino. Only one weekend game is scheduled (the crucial Game 7 if it gets there) so it'll be interesting to see how full the venue gets.
The Ivy is well-situated to draw in the office crowd on their lunch break. Like the 24/7 Sports bar there will be promotions available to coincide with the Finals.
The venue is an open air Courtyard allowing smokers to light up but is bothersome during rain. The rainfall boxed out some of the prime seats in Game One, with umbrellas partially obstructing views. The Palings Bar accept reservations so book a spot as they do fill up. There are also VIP seats on the second floor. There's definitely a feel of Miami glamour as the Ivy crowd are more "
suited and booted" compared to your average sporting punter.
Palings: Kitchen and Bar [Ivy]
Level 1, Ivy
330 George St,
Sydney
c) 24/7 Sports Bar [Star Casino], Pyrmont
Unlike Play Bar and Palings, the '24/7 Sports Bar' has betting stations on the premises to cater for punters. As the name suggests the bar stays open all day and night. The Bar is purpose-built to cater for Sporting crowds, a destination venue for the State of Origin, PPV fights and the upcoming Soccer World Cup.
Basketball isn't a big Spectator sport in Australia as far as communal watching goes, less so on weekday mornings. The most complete entertainment option if you're available during the day.
24/7 Sports Bar
Level 1, Casino,
The Star 80 Pyrmont Street
Pyrmont, Sydney
d) Most pubs in Sydney: 3 Wise Monkeys, Cheers, York 75 Sports Bar etc...
As the NBA reaches the pointy end of the Season with single games being played on alternate days, ESPN began televising each game of the Conference Finals onwards. The NBA Finals will be televised either 10 or 11am on Game Day. There will be repeat screenings each night from around 8:30pm. This means any Pub that carries ESPN should have the game playing on their screens.
Enjoy the NBA Finals everybody, let's hope its another epic series that goes down to the wire. See you out there!
Update: 2015 Playoffs
If you follow my Instagram you'll find my favorite NBA spots around Sydney
