(1) Thunder vs. (8) Pelicans First Round Playoff Series Thread

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) New Orleans

• Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
• Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
• Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
• Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89

Oklahoma City wins series 4-0

I would take OKC over New Orleans any day but this series is a lot less intriguing without Zion making his proper playoff debut.

If the Zion we saw in the first play-in game were active and available I could easily see this series going either way. I might even like New Orleans. Really unfortunate hes not gonna be able to go. Without him it’s definitely advantage OKC. Altho these teams are still much more closely matched than 1-8 suggests. I dont think Thunder will have it easy.

To think that zion has a good chance at aiming for a championship this year is a bit delusional even if he's fully healthy. His team should have beaten up the lakers at the losers bracket if they're hellbent on believing so.

ISB's expert pick: 4-1 OKC.

Thunder in 6

4-2 for dem OKC boyz

They gotta let BI go all out if they're gonna have a chance in this. Need the same BI we saw vs the Suns in '22. Pels still got a legitimate defense without Zion, issue is that CJ will shoot them out of games. They took 2 off the Suns without Zion a few years ago. They can keep the series close without him and maybe he's healthy enough to return and tilt it in their favor.

They said he'd be out 2 weeks with the hammy on April 17th, so that would make him available for Game 5 or 6 if the timetable holds up.

This Is a sweep for OKC.

Thunder won’t have an easy time rebounding against the Pels, even without Zion.
Both Valanciunas and Nance can punish Chet on the boards.

But Pels will have long droughts.

OKC will get to the second round, and likely lose to Dallas again getting slaughtered on the boards, as well as out-shot.

What a low scoring first quarter. Looks like a late 90s score.

This is going to be a great series tbh.

Unless Alvarado goes down ofc.

lmao@the flexing. You got tapped on the forearm. Settle down. :lol

[QUOTE=SATAN;14901853]lmao@the flexing. You got tapped on the forearm. Settle down. :lol[/QUOTE]
I feel like 8-9/10 of the flexes I’ve seen the last 2-3yrs, deserve punches in the ribs, then pats on the back, in the most “sonning” way possible. To really deserve the flex, nigg@s either gotta dunk on someone for an and-1, or Jordan thru Ewing and McDaniel tough layup. If it’s not somewhere in that ballpark … don’t flex. PSA/FYI

[QUOTE=Proctor;14901851]This is going to be a great series tbh.

Unless Alvarado goes down ofc.[/QUOTE]
I genuinely believe this is going to be a difficult series for OKC, mainly due to rebounding and less frequent transition offense.

Nawlins already has 8 additional FG attempts due to offensive rebounds, just halfway thru the 2nd

The Thunder barking chant is just as bad as the Grizzlies' "Whoop That Trick" shit :facepalm

ever top seed wn today .. but Pelicans could change that :oldlol::pimp::oldlol:

Jesus I feel like OKC loses this series for sure if Zion is healthy.

The thunder showing they're really a young, inexperienced team here.

[QUOTE=RRR3;14901866]Jesus I feel like OKC loses this series for sure if Zion is healthy.[/QUOTE]
We know :cheers:

Might be a rare modern game where neither team scores 100.

Smart of the Pelicans to limit the pace like this. It’s one of OKC’s strengths, and it’d generally be easier for the more talented team (i.e., the Thunder) to run away with it in an uptempo game.

The NBA needs to take cues from the NFL, the amount of time it takes to do a review is ridiculous :lol

Dumb challenge by OKC, gives the ball to NO

OKC looks so vulnerable. Not surprising but this is a huge collapse in the 2nd half for them

Gorgeous Alexander!

[QUOTE=bison;14901875][B]Gorgeous [/B]Alexander![/QUOTE]
[img]http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/image.php?u=378125&dateline=1636141682[/img]

That was a poor final possession.

Great D but really poor final possession from the Pels.

The pels choked it away lmao.

inb4 CP3 returns to NO next year.

Pels needed to run something for trey. Mccollum is not that guy anymore.

[QUOTE=Proctor;14901876][img]http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/image.php?u=378125&dateline=1636141682[/img][/QUOTE]

:yaohappy:

[QUOTE=bison;14901882]Pels needed to run something for trey. Mccollum is not that guy anymore.[/QUOTE]
YDK not even considered by his biggest fan. :(

:cheers:

The Thunders don't have any great 1 on 1 defenders because they believe so much in moving the ball. again, the Pelicans need to look for ways where the off ball movement only has one goal in mind, simple catch and score.

[video=youtube;tkeepNNf7SE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkeepNNf7SE[/video]

Insane clutch block by Holgrem.. Rookie of the year


5 blocks in his playoff debut

Pels borrowing a page from Clippers game 1 when they force fed Zubac.

Jonas is treating Chet like his little cousin.

Chet dominating early.

[QUOTE=AlternativeAcc.;14902047][video=youtube;tkeepNNf7SE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkeepNNf7SE[/video]

Insane clutch block by Holgrem.. [B]Rookie of the year [/B]


5 blocks in his playoff debut[/QUOTE]
:roll: :roll: :roll:


Budumbiii at it again :roll:

Ingram is super stoned tonight and McCollum must have got a contact high