The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder used a second half push to take down the New Orleans Pelicans on the highway within the NBA play-in match, 123-118.
The Thunder will now transfer on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday for the prospect to safe the eighth and last seed within the Western Convention for the primary spherical of the NBA playoffs.
The sport was going forwards and backwards late within the fourth quarter, as each groups traded buckets to maintain the sport shut. The Pelicans used an early fourth-quarter run, scoring seven straight factors to drag inside two, and it remained near the top.
Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder shoots in opposition to Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans through the first half on the Smoothie King Heart on April 12, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Photos)
Nevertheless, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s greatest star, did what All-Stars do: Are available in clutch.
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Down by one, Gilgeous-Alexander took a transition move after a CJ McCollum miss and made an ungainly driving layup to go up one with 28.1 seconds left to play.
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Brandon Ingram would miss the Pelicans’ subsequent possession, which cracked the door open for OKC to place this one away.
Josh Giddey and Lu Dort hit clutch free throws, however Ingram redeemed himself by hitting a three-pointer to carry the lead down to 1.
However it was Gilgeous-Alexander who iced it with extra free throws to maneuver on within the match.
Gilgeous-Alexander had simply seven factors on the half, however he completed the sport with 32 factors to guide the Thunder in that class, going 11-for-22 from the sector, together with an ideal 8-of-8 from the charity stripe with 5 rebounds and three assists.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Jalen Williams (8) celebrates with ahead Jaylin Williams (6) and guard Josh Giddey (3) through the first half of the crew’s NBA basketball play-in match recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, April 12, 2023. (AP Picture/Matthew Hinton)
However he wasn’t alone to drag off this win, after all. Giddey stepped up with 31 factors, whereas hauling in 9 rebounds and dispensing 10 assists because the 20-year-old was red-hot in his first style of the postseason.
Dort was a first-half machine as nicely, dropping 20 factors, 14 of which got here within the first quarter. He completed the sport with 27 factors, together with 4 three-pointers.
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For the Pelicans, Ingram was the chief with 30 factors on 10-of-19 from the sector. However McCollum had a letdown efficiency with solely 5 of 15 photographs made for 14 factors.
Jonas Valanciunas had the proper matchup within the paint, because the Thunder don’t possess a real heart on the roster proper now. He had a double-double within the first half with 11 factors and 12 rebounds.
However OKC was capable of hold him at bay within the second half, a minimum of on the factors entrance. He completed with 16 factors and 18 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder drives in opposition to Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans through the first half on the Smoothie King Heart on April 12, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Photos)
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Trey Murphy III had 21 factors for New Orleans, whereas Herbert Jones dropped 20 factors as nicely.
