OKC Thunder Grab Insurmountable 3-0 Series Lead over Pelicans

Because the sequence shifted to New Orleans, so did the power. Enjoying in entrance of a docile crowd – that at occasions was taken over by pockets of Thunder followers chanting O-Okay-C – the Thunder grabbed a near-insurmountable 3-0 lead.

This recreation began off rocky for the Bricktown boys as No. 2 scoring possibility Jalen Williams left the sport with over 11 minutes to go within the opening body after being hit within the face throughout a drive to the rim.

Nevertheless, the Santa Clara product would return and are available out much more aggressive to the tune of 21 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals.

As has been the case all season, the Thunder protection made life robust on the Pelicans. Their harassing methods purchased Oklahoma Metropolis time for his or her offense to settle into the competition.

To finish the second body, the Thunder went on a back-breaking 19-7 run. This allowed OKC to carry a 60-43 lead at intermission and by no means look again.

Regardless of a scrappy scoring run to trim the result in simply ten within the third quarter, the Pelicans light quick. With physique language extra torpid than the morning after a visit to Margaritaville, a timeout from Mark Daigneault was all OKC wanted to blow this recreation again out.

At occasions, a ten-year veteran regarded like a pricey caught in headlines in opposition to this younger Thunder protection whereas Brandon Ingram labored his strategy to shot makes an attempt for the third straight contest.

After a sloppy begin to the scoring cost, the Thunder offense settled in getting no matter they needed in opposition to a disinterested Pelicans flock.

Josh Giddey continued his pattern of dominating in New Orleans posting 21 factors, seven rebounds, six assists and a block on 4-for-7 taking pictures from past the arc.

On high of Lu Dort’s masterful protection on Ingram, operating by way of screens just like the Kool-Help man, the Thunder defensive ace splashed residence 4 triples on his strategy to 12 factors.

Dort performed a big function in limiting the Pelicans underneath triple-digits for the third straight recreation. New Orleans may solely muster 85 factors on this contest.

Because the outdated adage goes, the sequence would not begin till the street group wins a recreation – tonight the Thunder each began and ended the sequence.

No group in NBA historical past has mounted a 3-0 comeback, whereas there’s a first time for every part – the depleted and dejected Pelicans don’t look like the squad to interrupt that mould.

The Thunder 5 goal for a sweep on Monday within the Smoothie King Middle with tip-off slated for both 7:30 PM CT on NBATV or 8:30 PM CT on TNT relying on the outcomes of Saturday’s Lakers vs Nuggets tilt.

Ought to the Lakers be swept, the Thunder will earn the late slot on TNT as they appear to care for the Pelicans in brief order.

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