OKC Takes 3-0 Series Lead In NBA Playoffs

No. 1-seeded OKC continues its first-round playoff sequence towards No. 8 New Orleans with Recreation 3 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in New Orleans.

The Thunder holds a 2-0 lead within the best-of-seven sequence. It earned a 124-92 dwelling win over the Pelicans in Recreation 2 on Wednesday.

Here is what you could know concerning the matchup:

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Thunder vs. Pelicans dwell rating updates of Recreation 3 in NBA playoffs

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FINAL: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85 | OKC goes up 3-0 in first spherical of Western Convention playoffs

The Thunder takes a convincing 3-0 lead within the sequence after a 106-85 win right here in New Orleans. OKC chants echoing by way of a hallowed Smoothie King Heart. Shai, Giddey and Chet all rating at the very least 21 factors. OKC shoots 48.2% FG, 47.2% from 3.

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

Extra:How Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren put OKC Thunder one win away from NBA playoff sweep of Pelicans

Finish 3Q: Thunder 85, Pelicans 66 | OKC is one quarter away from 3-0 sequence lead

Ingram’s hits a wild shot with Dort fairly actually below him to make it 85-69 after 3. A break within the momentum after Jalen Williams went on a shotmaking spree to finish the quarter. OKC is 14 for 29 (48.3%) from 3. Simply beating NO over the top with shot after shot.

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

4:09 left in 3Q: Thunder 76, Pelicans 64 | Chet Holmgren stuffing New Orleans at rim

Chet Holmgren has three blocks, every a message-sending denial for any Pelican heading into the paint.

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Half: Thunder 60, Pelicans 46 | Lu Dort is an issue for New Orleans

OKC shot 66.7% from the ground and made all 4 of its 3s within the quarter. Dort, Shai and Jalen Williams every scored at the very least eight factors within the interval. Ingram and McCollum a mixed 5 for 19.

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

2:55 left in 2Q: Thunder 49, Pelicans 39 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC on a 9-0 run

Only a backbreaking stretch run by OKC. A Shai end-of-clock step again 3, a Dort 3 above the break, Chet meets Murphy on the rim to dam a slam try, Dort drills one other within the nook. Now 49-39 Thunder. Murphy seemed like he needed to battle Marc Davis otw to the huddle.

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

Finish 1Q: Thunder 23, Pelicans 19 | Lu Dort’s protection on Brandon Ingram has been stellar

Thunder forward 23-19 after 1. Survived the time with out JDub behind a extremely good stretch from Cason Wallace (5 pts, 2 stls). Shotmaking hasn’t been a factor. Dort nonetheless in BI’s grill, NO making OKC work tougher than it did it Recreation 2. Pels taking pictures 36.4% FG, OKC at 38.1%.

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

Jalen Williams (eye) exits the sport within the first quarter however returns

OKC’s Jalen Williams exited the sport within the first quarter with a watch damage.

The second-year ahead suffered the damage whereas trying a layup on the Thunder’s opening possession. He checked out on the 11:27 mark and briefly went to the locker room, however he checked again in with 53.1 seconds left within the quarter.

Williams is a key contributor for OKC. He averaged 20 factors, six rebounds and 5.5 assists within the first two video games of the playoff sequence.

—Justin Martinez, Workers author

Mark Daigneault credit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earlier than Thunder-Pelicans Recreation 3

Requested who impressed his creativity in halfcourt units, Mark Daigneault bluntly says “Shai.” “It is simply all based mostly on the gamers. It is based mostly on the personnel you could have. He was the man that might generate a whole lot of stuff. After which over time … we have had guys with totally different strengths that we have tried to determine a solution to function and leverage.”

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced says New Orleans is ‘assured’ heading into Recreation 3

Willie Inexperienced, requested what the Pelicans’ morale is like proper now: “Assured, able to go. They received two video games on their dwelling ground. They’re the No. 1 seed, they’re supposed to do this.”

—Joel Lorenzi, Workers author

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Recreation 3 prediction

It appears like New Orleans’ greatest likelihood to take a recreation on this sequence was in Recreation 1.

However OKC managed to earned a 94-92 victory regardless of not taking part in its greatest basketball, and it seemed sharper in Recreation 2. The Thunder earned a 124-92 win on an evening when it shot 59% from the ground (48.3% from deep).

Now New Orleans is again dwelling, the place it solely went 21-19 through the common season. That is the worst dwelling file of all of the playoff groups.

Prediction: Thunder 111, Pelicans 105

Recreation 3: Tips on how to watch OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Saturday, April 27

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

TV: Bally Sports activities Oklahoma, TNT/TruTV

Stay Stream: Fubo (watch without cost)

Extra:New Orleans Pelicans’ protection falters in loss to OKC Thunder: ‘No pointing fingers’

Damage report for OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

OKC Thunder damage report

None

New Orleans Pelicans damage report

Zion Williamson (hamstring pressure) is out.

Extra:How OKC Thunder managed to ‘flip the web page’ vs Pelicans in Recreation 2 of NBA playoffs

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

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:New Orleans Pelicans’ protection falters in loss to OKC Thunder: ‘No pointing fingers’

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans playoff sequence schedule

Recreation 1: OKC 94, New Orleans 92
Recreation 2: OKC 124, New Orleans 92
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 mandatory): TBD Wednesday, Could 1 in OKC
Recreation 6 (If mandatory): TBD Friday, Could 3 in New Orleans
Recreation 7 (If mandatory): TBD Sunday, Could 5 in OKC

Extra:OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is chasing greatness and is not afraid to fail on the best way

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans regular-season sequence file

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

Extra:Why former Thunder guard Tre Mann attended OKC’s playoff win vs New Orleans

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Recreation 3 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, April 27

Unfold: OKC (-1.5)
Over/below: 209.5
Moneyline: OKC -120 | New Orleans +100

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Extra:Why it is a ‘blessing’ for New Orleans’ Willie Inexperienced to educate towards OKC’s Mark Daigneault

2024 NBA playoffs

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