Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Latest Episodes:

What’s at Stake for SGA and Conference Finals Predictions May 19, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha jump into today’s show by recapping Game 7 between Nuggets and OKC. They highlight Aaron Gordon’s next-level competitiveness while playing through his hamstring injury (4:48).

Then, they discuss the stakes for each team heading into the conference finals (14:35) before breaking down the Thunder-Timberwolves matchup out West. Later, they touch on the Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference finals (36:11) and share their predictions!

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Flowers for Julius Randle, Potential SGA-Ant Face-Off, and the Knicks’ Game 6 Pressures May 15, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha jump into the Round 2 play, giving their sympathies to Jayson Tatum for his Achilles injury (1:25). Then they break down all the pressure that falls on both the Knicks and Celtics as they head into Game 6 in New York (6:07). Then, they discuss the Timberwolves, who are heading into the conference finals, and give flowers to Julius Randle for his playoff play (15:45), before they preview what an Ant-SGA showdown could look like (25:55).

Finally, they break down the projected final four (28:04) and share thoughts on the Mavs, who landed the no. 1 overall pick in the draft (45:15).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OKC’s Redemption Win, Knicks Pressure, and Our Draft Lottery Thoughts May 12, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha kick off the week by addressing the monstrosity that was Cleveland’s Game 4 loss to the Pacers (1:18). They then break down OKC’s big win over Denver and explore where the series could go next (21:48). Austin places his bet on the Knicks-Celtics series and unpacks what a Game 5 win would mean for both teams (24:55).

Later, they revisit their top picks for Cooper Flagg with the NBA Draft Lottery finally here (1:00:22), and speculate on where Giannis might land if he leaves Milwaukee (1:07:57).

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Austin’s Haliburton Admission, Brunson’s Elite Closing, and the Game Plan for the Steph-less Warriors May 08, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha recap the absolutely ridiculous Round 2 games so far, with Austin starting off by admitting that he was wrong about Tyrese Haliburton (3:07). Then, they dive deeper into the Pacers-Cavs matchup and discuss what Cleveland needs to do to turn things around. They also hit on the Knicks-Celtics series, praise Jalen Brunson’s elite clutch-time play, and predict who will take the series (26:14).

Later, they talk Warriors-Timberwolves and break down the game plan for the Warriors without Steph (53:20) and the Timberwolves’ best strategy moving forward (1:10:52).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ant-Man and Randle Show, Our Luka Demands, and Where the Bucks and Giannis Go From Here May 01, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha recap more Round 1 plays, starting with the Timberwolves closing out the Lakers (3:35). They recap the groove that the Timberwolves are settling into and highlight the Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle duo. Then, they address the Lakers side of things and state a few demands they have from Luka Doncic heading into the offseason (17:53). Later, they debate whether or not the Warriors can win it all, and what it would mean if Steph got his fifth ring (30:18). Then, they address the Pacers-Bucks series—starting with the altercation between Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s dad—and have a discussion about where Giannis and the Bucks go from here (45:30).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KAT’s Absurd Shot-Making, Ant Man’s Playoff Performance, and Flowers for Aaron Gordon Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha recap this weekend’s slate of Round 1 playoff games and discuss the Knicks-Pistons series, with an emphasis on KAT’s shot-making (7:17). Then, they talk through the Rockets’ potential in the series after losing Game 3 with Jimmy Butler out for the Warriors (9:52), before discussing which pieces the Suns and Bucks might need to pick up in the offseason (16:00). Lastly, they hit on the Timberwolves-Lakers series with a breakdown of Ant’s impressive playoff performance (38:36), and of course, give Aaron Gordon his flowers after his absurd game-winner (44:24).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the Warriors Survive Without Jimmy? Plus, Breaking Down the Other Game 2s. Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back to recap Game 2, Round 1 of the playoffs! They kick things off by reacting to the Warriors-Rockets series, discussing how an injured Jimmy could affect Golden State’s playoff chances moving forward, and sharing how Jonathan Kuminga could adjust his game to make an impact on the series (1:52). Then, they hit on the Pistons-Knicks matchup and review both Kawhi and Cade Cunningham’s playoff performances (28:17). Later, they discuss Cleveland-Miami (40:06), Bucks-Pacers (44:49), and Timberwolves-Lakers (47:31).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Playoff Learning Curve, the Russell Westbrook Experience, and Our Biggest Takeaways from Game 1 Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha recap Game 1, Round 1 of the playoffs starting with the blowout that was Memphis-OKC (1:42). Then, they jump to the Celtics-Magic series and Austin makes his case not to overreact (10:55), before hitting on the Miami-Cavs (18:27) and the competitive Knicks-Pistons series (24:04).

Later, they discuss the learning curve the young Rockets team is experiencing against the veteran Warriors (30:58). They then break down the Timberwolves-Lakers series (36:42) and Pacers-Bucks series (44:22), wrapping up with the Clippers-Nuggets series in which Russell Westbrook took us on a ride (51:25).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Round 1 Playoff Predictions: ANT-Luka Rematch, “Playoff Jimmy,” and the Greatest Showman—Steph Curry Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back to discuss their playoff predictions, starting with the Rockets-Warriors (4:32). They break down Houston’s deep bench vs. Golden State’s postseason experience with Steph and “Playoff Jimmy.” Then, they jump to the rematch between Luka and Anthony Edwards in Timberwolves-Lakers (27:37).

Finally, they share who they think should be COTY and which players they’re most looking forward to watching in the playoffs (43:35).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regular Season Recap, Playoff Preview, and Our Case for Dyson Daniels as DPOY Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Austin and Pausha kick the week off recapping the unpredictable 2024-25 season. They discuss KAT’s impressive year with the Knicks (2:17), how the Detroit Pistons have become a serious team in the East (10:04), and of course, the Luka trade and Malone Firing (30:18).

Then, they offer their early playoff predictions (38:20), make their case for Dyson Daniels as Defensive Player of the Year (47:52), and share their thoughts on coaching attire (52:26).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.