OKC Takes 2-0 Series Lead In NBA Playoffs

Chet Holmgren might technically nonetheless be an NBA rookie, however he is nicely conscious of the emotional gaps between video games.

The Thunder will try to go up 2-0 on the Pelicans on Wednesday evening within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs, however OKC may have simply been dealing with an 0-1 gap had CJ McCollum made a last-second 3-pointer Sunday evening in New Orleans’ 94-92 loss at Paycom Middle.

“Having an understanding that the distinction between being happy with Recreation 1 and never happy is McCollum hitting that shot on the finish,” Holmgren mentioned after apply Wednesday morning. “We will’t let that be who we’re. Whether or not he makes or misses that shot, we’ve got to return in right here and get higher at what we have to get higher at.”

Extra:OKC Thunder’s ‘Large Three’ suffocates Pelicans in dominant Recreation 2 win in NBA playoffs

Thunder vs. Pelicans stay rating updates of Recreation 2 in NBA playoffs

Extra:Why it’s a ‘blessing’ for New Orleans’ Willie Green to coach against OKC’s Mark Daigneault

Thunder vs. Pelicans highlights of Game 2 in NBA playoffs

More:How OKC Thunder shirts became NBA playoffs tradition: ‘So much more than a shirt’

Remaining: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92 | OKC takes 2-0 lead on New Orleans in NBA playoffs

Thunder acquire a convincing 124-92 Recreation 2 win. Shot 59% from the sector and 48.3% from deep (and even higher earlier than rubbish time). Issues turned ugly actual quick. Simply fixed drive-and-kick barrage that buried Pels with their TOs. Chet with 26 pts (9 for 13). Shai 33 pts, 13/19.

Recreation 3 is 2:30 p.m. Saturday in New Orleans.

—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author

Extra:Mussatto: Chet Holmgren units tone vs. Jonas Valanciunas in OKC Thunder rout of Pelicans

Finish 3Q: Thunder 92, Pelicans 74 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC rolling

Thunder forward 92-74 after 3. Been fairly a number of offensive fouls on the Pels. I’m certain each one isn’t correct, however OKC has a reasonably good of eliminating air area, making it an issue to create separation. Good Shai quarter. Ingram obtained going within the third although. 12 pts (2/6, 6 fts).

—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author

Half: Thunder 63, Pelicans 50 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder are 24 minutes away from a 2-0 sequence lead

OKC taking pictures 59.5% from the sector and 10 for 1& from 3. Chet and Shai on one. Mixed 36 factors on 14-of-21 taking pictures. Thunder ball motion started choosing Pels aside halfway through 2nd. Ingram has taken two pictures in 17 minutes.

—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author

One other Thunder fan makes a halfcourt shot for $20K

Thunder followers are 2-for-2 within the playoffs on the $20,000 halfcourt shot, a promotional from MidFirst Financial institution.

It was 23-year-old Jaylen O’Conner in Recreation 1, and 26-year-old Eli Walch in Recreation 2.

Walch, a nurse, informed the Thunder that he’ll use the cash for his wedding ceremony in 2026.

—Joe Mussatto, Employees author

Finish 1Q: Thunder 35, Pelicans 22 | Chet Holmgren has OKC rolling in Recreation 2

Thunder leads 35-22 after 1. Chet’s on one. He’s obtained 15. Him and Jonas going shot for shot. Shai doing the primary quarter factor down the stretch, displaying off some wild contact and angles with little or no room. OKC taking pictures 63.6% from 3. Pels went with out a FG for the ultimate 3:57.

—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author

Late 1Q: Thunder 30, Pelicans 20 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is heating up

Shai held up the prayer arms after making that 3-pointer, nearly as if to say “thanks.” He had gone 0 for 14 from deep in OKC’s final three video games. SGA has seven factors.

—Justin Martinez, Employees author

Extra:Why do OKC Thunder followers bark like canine? Credit score Jalen Williams, Loud Metropolis

Why do they name it Loud Metropolis for OKC Thunder video games?

Nicely, simply hearken to the embedded tweet.

Paycom Middle has been rocking for an hour. Thunder followers are going to check the decibel score system right here tonight.

—Jeff Patterson, Employees author

Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced harps on the importance of late-game execution in Recreation 2

The ultimate minutes of Sunday evening’s Recreation 1 exhibited a rock struggle between each groups in Paycom Middle.

Though the Pelicans sparked a 7-0 run halfway via the fourth quarter, they struggled to discover a solution to put OKC away for good. New Orleans supplied constant refunds on pictures as they clawed their solution to seize six offensive rebounds within the closing minutes.

But, the Pelicans shot simply 1-for-7 from the sector on these seems to be within the closing 3:34 of regulation. The stretch proved essential because the Thunder emerged victorious within the 94-92 win within the sequence’ opening sport.

“The largest factor for us was fourth quarter turnovers — we had seven,” Pelicans head coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned. “We will not give a superb staff that many alternatives to chop to capitalize, and we did that.”

The Pelicans keenly felt the absence of star Zion Williamson, who sometimes contributes almost six factors per fourth quarter. That is evident of their rank twenty sixth in fourth quarter level differential within the NBA for the 2023-24 season.

With Williamson’s absence being a obvious concern for the Pelicans’ late sport offense, Inexperienced is eager on remaining composed within the clutch.

“We simply need to have extra poise,” Inexperienced mentioned. “Get us in some units and execute them. Once we did, we truly obtained high quality seems to be. We did not capitalize on all of them, however reducing down on the turnovers and having extra poise is vital.”

—Jordan Davis, Employees author

OKC’s Mark Daigneault expects each groups to ‘play higher’ in Recreation 2

Neither staff performed its greatest basketball when OKC earned a 94-92 dwelling win over New Orleans in Recreation 1 on Sunday.

The Thunder shot simply 43.5% from the ground, and it scored fewer than 100 factors for the primary time since March 10. In the meantime, the Pelicans shot 38.5% from the ground and dedicated seven turnovers within the fourth quarter alone.

Possibly OKC can chalk it as much as having a six-day break main as much as the sport. Possibly New Orleans can chalk it as much as being recent off a two-game play-in run.

Regardless, OKC head coach Mark Daigneault expects each groups to be sharper in Recreation 2 on Wednesday.

“We obtained our toes beneath us the opposite evening,” Daigneault mentioned. “I’d count on each groups to play higher tonight than they did the opposite evening, particularly offensively. … I’ve nice confidence in our guys.”

—Justin Martinez, Employees author

Recreation 2: The way to watch OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Wednesday, April 24
Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports activities Oklahoma, TNT/TruTV
Reside Stream: Fubo (watch without spending a dime)

Extra:Mussatto: OKC Thunder exhibits it has bark in tight Recreation 1 win over New Orleans Pelicans

Harm report for OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

OKC Thunder harm report

None

New Orleans Pelicans harm report

Zion Williamson (hamstring pressure) is out.

Extra:Brandon Ingram struggles, Trey Murphy III shines as Pelicans fall to Thunder in Recreation 1

Projected OKC Thunder beginning 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)

Extra:OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP finalist

Projected New Orleans Pelicans beginning 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)

Extra:How the OKC Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans match up in NBA playoffs

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans playoff sequence schedule

Recreation 1: OKC 94, New Orleans 92
Recreation 2: At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (TNT) in OKC
Recreation 3: At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 (TNT) in New Orleans
Recreation 4: TBD Monday, April 29 in New Orleans
Recreation 5 (If vital): TBD Wednesday, Might 1 in OKC
Recreation 6 (If vital): TBD Friday, Might 3 in New Orleans
Recreation 7 (If vital): TBD Sunday, Might 5 in OKC

Extra:The way to purchase OKC Thunder tickets for 2024 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Middle

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans regular-season sequence report

OKC gained the regular-season sequence, 2-1. The Thunder gained the ultimate two conferences by a median of 15.5 factors.

Extra:How did Lu Dort create havoc on Brandon Ingram in Thunder’s Recreation 1 win vs. Pelicans?

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Recreation 2 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, April 24

Unfold: OKC (-7.5)
Over/underneath: 211.5
Moneyline: OKC -350 | New Orleans +260

Extra:Mussatto: Suppose Mark Daigneault will shorten Thunder rotation in playoffs? Suppose once more.

2024 NBA playoffs

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