Number 1 in the Western Conference, the Thunder sent a message to those who felt that they were good to go in these playoffs… In the wake of its “Big Three” SGA-Holmgren-Williams, OKC won 124 – 92 to lead 2-0 in the series. After playing eye to eye with the Thunder during Game 1 and then six minutes into the 1st quarter, the Pelicans exploded!
However, Jonas Valanciunas had the perfect start to the match. Powerfully, the Lithuanian pushes Holmgren, looks for fouls, and New Orleans is in front: 11-7 with 11 points from Valanciunas! And then, the superb collective play of the Thunder will take place, and there will only be one team on the field! The 3-pointers go by, and the Pelicans defense takes on water. It's Chet Holmgren in the middle, then Lu Dort, and finally Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who strike to give an eight-point lead (26-18).
The defense is also impressive with a remarkable defensive withdrawal, and the search for passage in force. Like Jaylin Williams trapping Brandon Ingram. After twelve minutes, OKC took the break: 35 -22. The rest is the same with a Holmgren who enjoys breaches in the racket (42-27). The Pelicans are on their heels, and CJ McCollum is holding up. He prevents his team from sinking, then Herb Jones and Trey Murphy restart the game with 3 points (51-43).
The power of Jalen Williams
But the Thunder have more weapons, more pace, and don't rely solely on 3-point shooting. Jalen Williams then SGA gives OKC some fresh air. At the break, we found a gap of 13 points (63-50). Returning from the locker room, the Thunder defense increased in intensity, like Jalen Williams, and the gap grew further to even reach 21 points (79-58). A symbolic action? This angry dunk from Holmgren after a great collective action, which he finishes by sending Ingram to the ground.
The Pelicans no longer have solutions, and Gilgeous-Alexander controls the tempo like no other, and he hits when he wants. New Orleans' defense is late, and it's Jalen Williams who will kill the game. First at 3-point, then on a dunk where he found himself all alone in the paint on a placed attack. We are 25 points ahead, and there are eight minutes to play… Three minutes later, the gap is +30, and Willie Green sends in all his substitutes with five minutes remaining. Final score: 124 – 92.
What you must remember
– Offensive fouls. The Pelicans lost 18 balls, twice as many as the Thunder. Half of his lost balls are on offensive fouls! OKC took advantage of it with 22 points scored on its lost balls.
– The Holmgren – Valanciunas duel. The Pelicans had decided to strike from the start in the paint, and Jonas Valanciunas will score the first 11 points for his team on 5 of 6 shots. Holmgren will respond with 15 points in the first quarter. A record for a Thunder rookie.
– Eleven years of waiting. For the first time since April 24, 2013, 11 years ago to the day, the Thunder leads 2-0 in a series! The last time, it was in the first round of a series against James Harden's Rockets. But Kevin Durant and his teammates were then crushed in the next round by the Grizzlies…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
