NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey had stand out performances for the Thunder as they took down the Pelicans 85-106.
The Australian came up clutch with a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the New Orleans Pelicans to move onto the Western Conference semi-finals.The Thunder ran away with Tuesday’s Game 4 to win 97-89, having trailed entering the fourth before outscoring the Zion Williamson-less Pelicans 27-18 in the period.
Dort locked up Brandon Ingram, who shot 2-for-14 from the floor for eight points in a rough shooting night which saw the Pelicans as a whole shoot 37.6 per cent. The Pelicans and Thunder finished the first quarter tied at 21 after a rough shooting start for both teams, shooting 34.8 and 33 per cent respectively from the field.
Giddey has been particularly effective making 3-pointers from that position on the court this season, shooting at 38.3 per cent compared to 32.5 from the right corner. Jalen Williams had nine points in the period to lead the Thunder with 13 and five boards at the half while Gilgeous-Alexander, potentially impacted by the ankle issue, was 3-for-10 on nine points.The Pelicans weren’t faring much better when it came to production from Ingram, who only had four points on 1-for-7 shooting as Dort continued to be a defensive menace.
Despite that and Ingram’s ongoing struggles, New Orleans was still able to take a 71-70 lead into the final quarter of the game as Naji Marshall, who was one of the Pelicans’ best, made two late 3-pointers.
ESPN Inc. Oklahoma City Joshua Gateley Defensive Menace San Antonio Spurs United States Of America Oklahoma Clutch Statement Shooting Start North America Productive Players Youngest Team Paycom Center Impactful Rotation Player OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma City Thunder Aaron Wiggins America New Orleans Dallas Brendan Haywood Andrew Jackson Getty Images Inc. Anthony Edwards Naji Marshall Brandon Ingram Loves Playing Cason Wallace Offensive Rhythm Ankle Issue Northern America Playoffs Series Final Shot Herb Jones Texas Louisiana Shooting Night Defensive End Playoffs Epic First-Round Playoff Series
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