Thunder Go Up 3-0 After Beating Down the Pelicans

After going up 2-0 in the series, the Oklahoma City Thunder came into New Orleans looking to show why they were the number one seed in a ridiculously tough Western Conference this season. The Pelicans had to prove not only to themselves but to the rest of the league that they had more in the tank than a first-round playoff exit. Oklahoma City outscored New Orleans in all four quarters defeating the Pelicans 106-85 to go up 3-0 in the series with a chance to sweep the Pelicans Monday night. The Thunder have the opportunity to get some much-needed rest before the Western Conference Semifinals. 

Oklahoma City outscored New Orleans 23-19 in the first quarter to take a four-point lead, and then the Thunder outscored the Pelicans by ten during the second quarter, taking a 14-point lead heading into halftime. New Orleans was outscored by a combined seven points in both the third, and fourth quarters, as the Thunder took a demolishing 21-point win on the road. While the Pelicans shot 38 percent from the floor, compared to the Thunder’s 48 percent, New Orleans also shot 28 percent from three-point range, was outrebounded by two, and committed four more turnovers than Oklahoma City. The Pelicans need to show that they’re capable of taking a playoff game at home without their star player in Zion Williamson. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 24 points, in addition to having five rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Both and Jalen Williams scored 21 points apiece. Giddey finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and a steal, while Williams had 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. For New Orleans, Brandon Ingram led the way with 19 points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. CJ McCollum scored 16 points in the loss.