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Thunder vs Pelicans recap: OKC sweeps New Orleans in first round of NBA playoffs

joel lorenzi, justin martinez, joe mussatto and jeff patterson, the oklahoman
·8 min read

No. 1-seeded OKC looks to sweep its first-round playoff series against No. 8 New Orleans with Game 4 at 7:30 p.m. Monday in New Orleans.

The Thunder holds a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. OKC earned a 106-85 road win over New Orleans in Game 3 on Saturday.

Here's what you need to know about the matchup:

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Thunder vs. Pelicans live score updates

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Thunder vs. Pelicans highlights

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FINAL: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89 | OKC sweeps New Orleans, advances to Western Conference semifinals

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams each scored 24 points to lead the Thunder to a sweep of the Pelicans in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

More: OKC Thunder advancing in NBA playoffs for first time since 2016 with sweep Pelicans

8:01 left 4Q: Thunder 80, Pelicans 80 | Josh Giddey gets going from 3-point land

Giddey now 3 for 4 from 3. Dort is loving it, jumping up and down as he’s about to check in. Huge plays. All tied at 80.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

End 3Q: Pelicans 71, Thunder 70 | New Orleans trying to force a Game 5

New Orleans takes a 71-70 right before the end of the 3rd on a bad foul. *Maybe* the ugliest game of this series, and Game 1 happened. Both teams 7 for 27 from 3. A Game 5, if necessary, would be Wednesday.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

2:27 left in 3Q: Thunder 70, Pelicans 66 | Rough night for Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram hasn’t had a great series, but he’s in absolute hell right now. 1 for 9, two TOs. Watching Dort sub out only to see Cason Wallace pressure the ball like that has to feel like being slammed against a wall.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

7:44 left in 3Q: Thunder 54, Pelicans 53 | Josh Giddey jumper puts OKC back in front

As our guy Joe Mussatto wrote, Lu Dort has been the MVP of this series. His assist to Josh Giddey has OKC back up midway through the third quarter. Dort's defense and game-high 24 minutes have steadied OKC so far.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Half: Thunder 44, Pelicans 43 | Jalen Williams leads OKC to halftime lead

Thunder leading 44-43 at the half. Still a nasty shooting game. Pels at 34.1% FG, 3 for 19 (15.8%) from 3. OKC at 40.5% and is just 4 for 19 from deep. Unclear if the ankle thing is still bothering Shai. He’s 3 for 10 with 9 pts, 5 boards. JDub with 13 & 5 boards.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

2:45 left in 2Q: Thunder 40, Pelicans 37

Somehow, the Thunder is only ahead 40-37 and it feels like it’s outplayed New Orleans by a decent margin. Certainly another gear to hit.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

6:42 left in 2Q: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in game

Thunder fans can take a deep breathe. Shai Gilgeous Alexander is back in the game. OKC leads 32-31.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

End 1Q: Thunder 21, Pelicans 21 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tended to after missing final shot of quarter

Rough quarter. All tied at 21 after 1. Pels shooting 34.8% from the field and are 2 for 12 from deep. OKC at 33% FG, 3 for 11 from 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to go down following the contest of his last shot. Holding something. He’s being looked at/stretched.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

3:11 left in 1Q: Thunder 21, Pelicans 19

And like, the defense, which saw three bodies shrink Shai’s bubble there, KNEW that he could only do so much in that spot. And he still got what he wanted. Masterful.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Is the pressure on the Thunder in Game 4?

Pelicans coach Willie Green said before Monday night's Game 4 that “the pressure is definitely more on (the Thunder) to close this out. But in this line of work, there’s always pressure on both ends.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, asked his thoughts on this: "I don't know ... Pressure is kinda an arbitrary term that has nothing to do with being first to the screen or spacing in transition or being physical on the glass — all the things we're going to try to do tonight."

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Game 4 predictions

Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

New Orleans' offense hit a wall this series.

The Pelicans are averaging just 89.7 points per game. Lu Dort has helped hold Brandon Ingram to an average of 16.3 points, and Chet Holmgren has protected the rim with 11 total blocks.

OKC has dominated defensively. And with Zion Williamson still out, New Orleans likely won't have enough firepower to avoid elimination on Monday.

Prediction: Thunder 107, Pelicans 99

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Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman

No team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a series. Will the Pelicans play with the desperation required to force a Game 5, or have they already made their offseason vacation plans?

Even if it’s the former, OKC will be motivated to end this series early and rest up for Round 2.

Prediction: Thunder 104, Pelicans 98

More: Mussatto: Why OKC Thunder's Lu Dort has been MVP of NBA playoffs vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Game 4: How to watch OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

  • Date: Monday, April 29

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. CT

  • TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma

  • Live Stream: Fubo (watch for free)

More: Why history is on OKC Thunder's side after taking 3-0 series lead vs New Orleans

Injury report for OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

OKC Thunder injury report

None

New Orleans Pelicans injury report

Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (left ankle sprain) is questionable.

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Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)

  • Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)

  • Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)

  • Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)

  • Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

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Projected New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup

  • CJ McCollum (20 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG)

  • Herb Jones (11 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1 APG)

  • Trey Murphy III (14.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.2 APG)

  • Brandon Ingram (20.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.7 APG)

  • Jonas Valanciunas (12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans playoff series schedule

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 2-1. The Thunder won the final two meetings by an average of 15.5 points.

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Game 4 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, April 29

  • Spread: OKC (-4.5)

  • Over/under: 206.5

  • Moneyline: OKC -190 | New Orleans +155

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First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder sweeps New Orleans Pelicans to advance in NBA playoffs