Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs New Orleans Pelicans (8)

First Round Series Review

Here we have another incredible star studded matchup for the first round of the western conference playoffs.  The Oklahoma City Thunder steam rolled through the Western Conference in the regular season, they topped the conference by 9 wins off the back of some stellar play from Anthony Edwards along with his two different sidekicks this year in Trae Young and Stephen Curry who was brought in just before the deadline.  The Pelicans on the other side of the ledger had to fight their way into this match up via the play-in tournament, where I believe they lost the 7-8 match-up vs the Rockets and then won the second matchup against the Kings to secure the 8 seed.  Pelicans are lead by the wonderboy Luka alongside interior defensive monster Rudy Gobert and a bevy of role players to round out the rotation.  This match-up is as star studded as they come, you have Anthony Edwards the young up and coming superstar trying to make his case for face of the NBA, the greatest shooter of all time in Stephen Curry and then Luka Doncic, who has a resume like no other at this point in their NBA Career.  

Game 1: New Orleans 123 @ Oklahoma City 117 

New Orleans secured the game 1 win on the road by 6 points.  The Pelicans had 5 players get into double digit figures in the game, led by Luka’s 44 points on 14-24 shooting.  DeAndre Hunter came along for the ride chipping in a handy 21 as well.  The Thunder big 2 combined for 73 points, but ultimately fell short in the contest.  The Pelicans won the rebounding and bench points battle, something to keep an eye on throughout the rest of this series. 

Player of the game: Luka Doncic 44/3/8

Game 2: New Orleans 107 @ Oklahoma City 100

After the high scoring affair in game 1, we see a lower scoring game in game 2, despite neither team making a lineup change to their starting 5, some obvious tinkering going on in the playbooks.  Again, we see the Pelicans with 5 players getting into double digit scoring.  The Thunder also had 5 players hit double digits in the points column in game 2, the thunder were also able to edge closer in the rebounding battle as well.  Ultimately, this game was decided by the bench units of each teams, with the Pelicans scoring 37 points from the bench to Oklahoma City’s 28 from the bench.  The Pelicans now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series as the 8 seed!! 

Player of the game: Luka Doncic 23/10/5

Game 3: Oklahoma City 117 @ New Orleans 114

OKC hit back on the road in game 3 behind a huge game from Anthony Edwards who posted a 43/4/4 line, including 6-10 shooting from 3 point land.  Steph Curry came along for the ride, pouring in 28 points on 10-21 from the floor. OKC were able to dish out 29 assists in the contest and tie the pelicans on the boards for the first time this series. Luka Doncic was as good as ever with a 40/9/5 line.  Aaron Gordon shot 75% from the floor on his way to a 21 point night.  The series is now 2-1 to the underdog Pelicans. 

Player of the Game: Anthony Edwards 43/4/4

Game 4: Oklahoma City 101 @ New Orleans 93

We have a tied series!  OKC hit back on the road, winning both games in New Orleans to bring it to a 2-2 series, the home team is yet to win a game this series.  Game 4 had a heavy defensive feel to it, this is the first time this series that a team hasn’t cracked the 100 point mark.  

Anthony Edwards was fantastic yet again, he had 43/6/1 on the night.  Steph was bad from the floor in this game, shooting 4-21 from the field, however, his 14 of 14 from the free throw line  made up for it.  The Thunder did a good job keeping Luka in check this game as well, he had by his standards a quiet night, only reaching 25 points on the night.  The 1 seed in the west have now tied the series heading home for game 5! 

Player of the Game: Anthony Edwards 43/6/1

Game 5: New Orleans 110 @ Oklahoma City 103

 New Orleans hit back to take game 5 after conceding the last two games.  The trend of no home team getting a win in the series continues and bodes well for New Orleans the rest of the way in this series.  Once again the battle of the bench points appears the biggest difference maker for the Pels to get over the line, winning 34 - 22.  Luka was quite good but inefficient with 24 on 8-22 shooting.  Mathurin stepped up in this one, putting in 20 points on 8-15 from the floor.  Steph Curry put his big boy pants on today and outscored his running mate Ant for the first time in the series with 31 points, he also dished 8 assists on the the night.  Adem Bona had a shocker going 0-9 from the floor.  The Pelicans are 1 win away from the second round! 

Player of the game: Rudy Gobert 9/15/1 and 6 stocks

Game 6: Oklahoma City 112 @ New Orleans 116

Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards combined for a huge 78 points in game 6, but ultimately it was not enough to get over the Pelicans.  The Pelicans had 5 players in double figures once again.  As to be expected, Luka led the way with a near triple double of 26/9/10 in the close out game.  Gobert also came up massive with 16/13 and 3 blocks.  The Pelicans manage to take down the 1 seed Thunder in 6 games. 

Player of the game: Luka Doncic 26/9/10 

What an effort from the Pelicans to get the job done vs the top seeded Thunder in 6 games, they now move on to face an intimidating Minnesota Timberwolves side where they are going to have their work cut out for them, all the best Leeroy for the next round. 

Gm James, all the best for the offseason, love how you’re not afraid to make a trade and push the chips in, if you see a deal that you believe makes your team better, I think the Thunder are going to be at the pointy end for a few seasons to come!