OKC Thunder Writer Talks Pelicans, NBA Play-In Tournament

NEW ORLEANS - The regular season is complete for the New Orleans Pelicans, and they turn their attention to postseason play. On Wednesday night, they host the tenth-seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

New Orleans won three of four games against the Thunder this year, but those wins were by a combined 10 points. According to the betting spread, the Pelicans are a five-point favorite at home.

Terry Kimble from the Pelicans Scoop Podcast spoke with Cade Kimble from Fan Nation's Inside the Thunder to discuss the postseason matchup and keys to the game for the Thunder.

Pelicans Scoop: OKC is the youngest team in the NBA, and despite losing their number 2 pick Chet Holmgren to a season-ending injury, they find themselves in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Is it safe to say this team is ahead of schedule?

Cade Kimble: This team is far ahead of schedule. Oddsmakers were low on the Thunder this season, as were the national media. Yet, here they are, making an arrival. This team had potential, but not even Thunder fans expected this.

Pelicans Scoop: New Orleans won the season series 3-1, but the three Pelicans' victories came by a combined 10 points. The Thunder victory was by double-digits. What has the Thunder done to make this such a tough matchup for New Orleans?

Cade Kimble: The way the Thunder play, they're incredibly relentless. They're going to force teams over and take control of possession, which seems backwards for such a young team.

They're also going to convert on those fast break opportunities they force, giving them an edge considering they are extremely undersized. The main thing that keeps the Thunder in any game is their relentlessness, though.

Pelicans Scoop: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks like a lock to get his first ALL-NBA selection. What makes SGA such a special player?

Cade Kimble: SGA is capable of controlling a game by picking any spot he wants. He doesn't necessarily kill with athleticism, but he plays with his own pace and speed. On top of that, he's an incredible finisher from anywhere in the mid-range or around the rim. He's a tough shot maker.

SGA also embodies one of the best parts about the Thunder; their relentlessness. He plays the same way and is going to attack a defense from any angle possible. His effort on both sides of the floor is also a huge part of his game. He sets the tone as a star player.

Pelicans Scoop: Heading into the Play-In game on Wednesday, give me a player who can be an X-factor for the Thunder.

Cade Kimble: In this particular win-or-go-home game, look at Lu Dort. He's been in this position before -- taking on the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs in his rookie year. He scored 30 points in that game. In this matchup, he's going to have to do what he's done to make a living, and that's elite defense.

There is no stopping Brandon Ingram, but Dort is going to have to cause fits for Ingram offensively, because that'll be the Thunder's best chance at getting stops. Also, if he can put together a good offensive game, the Thunder will be much, much better off.

Pelicans Scoop: What's one area of concern for the Thunder heading into Wednesday night's game?

Cade Kimble: The obvious area of concern for the Thunder is their youth. They're the youngest team in the league. In a game with as bright as lights as these, it's a safe assumption to say they might not show up. Their second-best scorer will be Jalen Williams -- a rookie.

Their second starting guard in Josh Giddey is even younger than him. Their youth will surely show in this matchup. A second piece to look at is the size difference. The Pelicans will have plenty of disruptors and players playing with a huge size advantage over their matchup.

Pelicans Scoop: Give us one thing (matchup/lineup/stat etc...) we should look for in Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans.

Cade Kimble: The most intriguing potential stat for this game might just be Isaiah Joe and minutes logged. He's a 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc. With that, he can absolutely swing this game by exploding offensively.

However, people not actively watching the Thunder will underestimate the impact he will bring on both ends as a connector and disruptor. He plays so well within the Thunder's unique system, and logging big minutes may be a deciding factor in this matchup.

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