In a thrilling clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the teams showcased contrasting performances, both in terms of individual player contributions and overall team dynamics. The Oklahoma City Thunder came out on top with a dominant 137-101 victory, highlighting their superior offensive execution and defensive pressure. This post delves into the player statistics and overall team performance, providing insight into how each side contributed to the game’s final result.
Game Overview
The New Orleans Pelicans, with a dismal record of 12-41, including a challenging 4-23 away record, faced a monumental task when they traveled to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder. Oklahoma City, with a stellar 43-9 record, including an impressive 25-3 home record, had been one of the best teams in the league that season. The result was a one-sided affair, with the Thunder emerging victorious after a dominant 137-101 win.
Oklahoma City had a commanding lead throughout the game, with the Pelicans only briefly managing to stay within striking distance. The Thunder’s offensive firepower, particularly from beyond the arc, and their defensive intensity led to an overwhelming performance.
Key Statistical Categories
Field Goals (FG)
- New Orleans Pelicans: 36-82 (43.9%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 49-95 (51.6%)
The Thunder were notably more efficient from the field, converting 51.6% of their shots compared to the Pelicans’ 43.9%. Oklahoma City also had a higher volume of attempts, shooting nearly 100 field goals. Their aggressive offensive strategy helped them to maintain consistent scoring throughout the game, especially in transition and on fast breaks.
The Pelicans’ lower shooting percentage indicated a struggle to convert opportunities, which was a key factor in their inability to stay competitive. New Orleans had some decent looks but failed to capitalize on them, especially considering the fact that they attempted significantly fewer shots than their opponents.
Three-Point Shooting (3PT)
- New Orleans Pelicans: 10-27 (37.0%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 27-55 (49.1%)
Oklahoma City’s three-point shooting was one of the standout factors in the game. They drained 27 three-pointers, almost tripling the Pelicans’ total. The Thunder’s 49.1% shooting from beyond the arc displayed their offensive prowess, as they were able to spread the floor and knock down shots from long range at will. The Pelicans, in contrast, shot 37% from three, which is respectable but far from enough to challenge the Thunder’s shooting exhibition.
The three-point disparity also directly contributed to the Pelicans’ struggles. While they shot fewer attempts, they couldn’t match the Thunder’s efficiency and volume. This large gap in three-point shooting was one of the defining factors in the game, as the Thunder established an insurmountable lead through their long-range accuracy.
Free Throws (FT)
- New Orleans Pelicans: 19-28 (67.9%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 12-16 (75.0%)
From the free-throw line, both teams had relatively decent performances, but Oklahoma City edged out New Orleans in terms of accuracy. The Thunder shot 75% from the charity stripe, while the Pelicans made 67.9% of their attempts. The disparity in free throws, however, did not have as significant an impact on the outcome of the game, given the substantial difference in shooting efficiency from the field and three-point range.
Rebounds
- New Orleans Pelicans: 42 total rebounds (12 offensive, 30 defensive)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 45 total rebounds (10 offensive, 35 defensive)
Oklahoma City slightly out-rebounded the Pelicans by three rebounds. Both teams had strong showings on the defensive glass, with the Thunder grabbing 35 defensive rebounds compared to the Pelicans’ 30. While Oklahoma City’s offensive rebounding wasn’t overwhelmingly better (10 offensive rebounds to New Orleans’ 12), they were more effective in limiting second-chance opportunities, which played a crucial role in their defensive success.
Assists
- New Orleans Pelicans: 19 assists
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 29 assists
The Thunder’s ability to share the ball and generate open shots was another critical factor in their victory. With 29 assists, Oklahoma City was able to find the open man consistently and create high-quality scoring opportunities. The Pelicans, on the other hand, recorded only 19 assists, reflecting a lack of ball movement and offensive flow. This disparity indicated that Oklahoma City was more effective in creating a team-oriented offensive system, while New Orleans struggled to generate good looks, often resulting in individual efforts rather than cohesive plays.
Steals
- New Orleans Pelicans: 4 steals
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 15 steals
The disparity in steals was one of the most glaring statistics of the game. Oklahoma City recorded 15 steals, showing their active defense and ability to disrupt the Pelicans’ offensive sets. The Pelicans, with only 4 steals, lacked defensive intensity and were often caught off guard by Oklahoma City’s ball pressure, which contributed to their struggles in managing the ball.
Blocks
- New Orleans Pelicans: 4 blocks
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 8 blocks
Oklahoma City’s superior rim protection was evident as they recorded double the number of blocks as the Pelicans. With 8 blocks, the Thunder were able to alter shots and prevent New Orleans from scoring inside, which is especially important when considering that the Pelicans had 50 points in the paint. The Thunder’s defense not only stifled New Orleans’ attempts but also helped in forcing the Pelicans to settle for outside shots, reducing their overall efficiency.
Turnovers
- New Orleans Pelicans: 23 turnovers
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 11 turnovers
Turnovers were another major issue for the Pelicans, who gave up the ball 23 times, leading to 40 points off turnovers for Oklahoma City. This inefficiency with the ball proved costly, as it allowed the Thunder to run in transition and capitalize on fast-break opportunities. In contrast, the Thunder only turned the ball over 11 times, keeping their offense flowing and maintaining control of the game.
Points Conceded Off Turnovers
- New Orleans Pelicans: 40 points
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 13 points
Oklahoma City capitalized on New Orleans’ turnovers with 13 points off the Pelicans’ mistakes, while the Pelicans allowed 40 points off their own turnovers. This marked another key area where the Pelicans were outclassed. The Thunder’s defense was opportunistic, forcing the Pelicans into bad decisions and converting those mistakes into easy points. The Pelicans’ inability to take care of the ball allowed Oklahoma City to further extend their lead.
Fast Break Points
- New Orleans Pelicans: 10 fast break points
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 23 fast break points
Fast break points were another area where the Thunder dominated. Oklahoma City scored 23 fast-break points, benefiting from the Pelicans’ turnovers and missed shots, allowing them to push the tempo and get easy transition baskets. The Pelicans, in contrast, managed just 10 fast-break points, unable to turn their own defensive rebounds into effective transition opportunities.
Points in the Paint
- New Orleans Pelicans: 50 points in the paint
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 40 points in the paint
While the Pelicans did have a slight edge in points in the paint, their inability to protect the perimeter and capitalize on second-chance opportunities limited their overall offensive potential. The Thunder’s interior defense was solid, and their ability to extend leads through efficient scoring from the outside outweighed the Pelicans’ success in the paint.
Fouls
- New Orleans Pelicans: 14 fouls
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 20 fouls
Both teams stayed relatively disciplined in terms of fouls, but the Pelicans’ lower number of fouls reflected their inability to disrupt the Thunder’s offense. Oklahoma City’s 20 fouls were largely the result of their aggressive defensive strategy, which did not affect their overall dominance.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder game highlighted a stark contrast between the two teams in almost every statistical category. The Thunder’s superior shooting, fast-break opportunities, ball movement, and defense led to a dominant win, while the Pelicans struggled with turnovers, inefficient shooting, and defensive lapses.
Key individual performances from the Thunder, particularly their sharpshooting from beyond the arc and defensive plays, overwhelmed the Pelicans, who were unable to keep up with Oklahoma City’s offensive onslaught. The Pelicans’ inability to limit turnovers and execute defensively meant that they could not make the game competitive, even with a relatively strong performance in the paint.
For the Pelicans, the game serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of the basketball, playing disciplined defense, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Thunder showed why they are one of the league’s best teams, combining efficient shooting with stifling defense to earn a decisive victory.
