Josh Giddey’s final-quarter triple treat in New Orleans has secured a 4-0 sweep and eight-year NBA first for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder beat the Pelicans 97-89 on Tuesday (AEST), Giddey (14 points on four-of-six three-pointers) seizing the moment with three clutch triples in a defining fourth-term blitz.
The Australian guard had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists in OKC’s other road defeat of New Orleans, crucial contributions after a quiet game-one performance attracted criticism.
The 4-0 series win sees the Western Conference top seeds – the youngest squad to achieve that feat – advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
They’ll face either the No.4-seeded Los Angeles Clippers or Australian wing Josh Green’s fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks – that series is tied 2-2.
Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both had 24 points for Oklahoma City, who trailed by five in the fourth quarter before suddenly seizing control with a combination of stifling defence and opportunistic shooting.
A Giddey three-pointer tied it at 80-80 and ignited their 18-2 run, capped by Williams’ second-chance triple, that put the Thunder up 93-82 with 3:08 left.
The Pels, who played the entire series without star power forward Zion Williamson, never recovered.
In Miami, Derrick White scored a career-high 38 points and Jayson Tatum added 20 points and 10 rebounds as Boston beat the Heat 102-88 to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
The Celtics won at Miami for the sixth straight time and improved to 14-3 in their last 17 games on the Heat’s home floor.
But it was a costly win, with Kristaps Porzingis going down in the first half with what the team said was a right calf injury.
Bam Adebayo finished with 25 points, 17 rebounds and five assists for Miami, who had a sellout crowd — including Lionel Messi — but played again without injured starters Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck).
Boomers guard Patty Mills earned some extended minutes for the Heat in an otherwise quiet playoffs campaign at his new outfit, scoring nine points in 22 minutes.
With AP.