NBA Playoffs Heat Up: Thunder Sweep Pelicans, Celtics Near Closeout

Monday night in the NBA playoffs saw two teams on the brink of advancing to the next round. The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a dominant 4-0 sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Miami Heat.

Thunder Seal the Deal

The Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the Western Conference, finally put away a pesky New Orleans Pelicans team in a thrilling 97-89 road victory. The Pelicans, despite leading by five points with just over eight minutes remaining, couldn’t withstand a late surge from the Thunder. Oklahoma City closed out the game with a decisive 18-2 run, showcasing their defensive prowess and clutch play down the stretch.

Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder’s scoring with 24 points each, while Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey chipped in with 14 points apiece. This victory marks the Thunder’s first playoff series win since 2016, a significant accomplishment for a young and hungry team. Their reward? A matchup against either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals.

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Thunder’s resilience was on full display according to Jalen Williams. “We weren’t hitting shots,” he admitted, “but I think defensively we locked in down the stretch. We’re all together through thick and thin, through the ups and downs of the season. We’ve hung in there together and now you see the result.”

Celtics on Verge of Eastern Conference Semis

Across the league, the Boston Celtics continued their dominance over the Miami Heat with a convincing 102-88 road win. This puts them just one victory away from closing out the series and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Derrick White was the unlikely hero for the Celtics, exploding for a career-high 38 points. He set the tone early with a scorching first quarter, knocking down four three-pointers and propelling Boston to a 10-point lead after the opening frame. The Celtics never relinquished control, extending their advantage to a comfortable 53-36 at halftime.

Boston’s dominance continued in the third quarter, stretching their lead to a commanding 28 points at one point. While Miami showed some fight in the fourth, closing the gap to 13 points with just over five minutes remaining, the Celtics never seemed truly threatened.

This win positions the Celtics for a potential Eastern Conference semifinals matchup against either the Orlando Magic or the Cleveland Cavaliers. With a victory in game five back in Boston on Wednesday, they can officially book their ticket to the next round.

White’s performance was a welcome surprise for the Celtics. “I made a couple of shots early and that always helps,” he said. “Once you’ve made a couple the basket looks huge. I just wanted to be aggressive and try to make the right play every time I was on the court.”

Despite their commanding lead, White remains cautious. “It’s going to be a tough game five,” he acknowledged. “We know they ain’t going away so we’ve got to be ready to go.”

The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion in both series. The Thunder, hungry for a return to glory, look to complete their sweep against the Pelicans. Meanwhile, the Celtics aim to close out the Heat and solidify their position as Eastern Conference contenders. With both matchups hanging in the balance, NBA fans can expect an exciting night of playoff basketball.