Thunder ride defense to sweep of Pelicans

(Field Level Media) Shai GilgeousAlexander and Jalen Williams scored 24 points each, Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 rebounds and the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder completed first-round playoff sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans with a 97-89 victory yesterday.

Williams put up eight of his points during a pivotal 10-0 fourth-quarter run for the top-seeded Thunder, who advance to face either the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers or the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals.

Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey scored 14 apiece and Luguentz Dort contributed 11.

CJ McCollum registered 20 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Naji Marshall scored 16 and Herb Jones 11 to lead the eighth-seeded Pelicans, who didn't score more than 92 points in any game of the series.

Brandon Ingram shot 2-for-14 from the floor and finished with eight points for New Orleans, which was missing injured leading scorer Zion Williamson throughout the series.

Oklahoma City hit 42.7 percent from the floor while limiting New Orleans to 37.6 percent shooting. The Pelicans were 8 of 34 (23.5 percent) from long distance while the Thunder made 12 of 40 (30 percent) from beyond the arc.

There were 11 lead changes and seven ties in the third quarter of Game 4. Gilgeous-Alexander made a free throw for a 64-63 Thunder lead before Marshall answered with a 3-pointer.

Oklahoma City scored the next six points before Marshall hit another 3pointer and Ingram made two free throws to give the Pelicans a 71-70 lead at the end of the third period.