OKC Thunder: Would Pelicans or Kings be the Better Matchup?
The Thunder's eventual first round matchup has dwindled down to two teams. Which should be a more advantageous team to take on?
Following Tuesday night's NBA Play-In Tournament, Oklahoma's City potential first-round opponent has been cut down to two teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers slid by the New Orleans Pelicans to assume the seventh seed, while the Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings matchup seemingly signaled the end of the Bay Area dynasty, as the Kings soared past them to claim the second and final game of the night.
This leaves the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings to battle for the last spot in the playoffs on Friday night, one of which will get to face off against one of the youngest and hottest teams in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Off of the top of my head, I would have to say that the Pelicans are a better matchup in terms of recent history, highlighting this season's events while taking into account what's occurred years prior.
This season, the Thunder hadn't tied nor lost many season series to the opposition, but the No. 9-seeded Kings managed to split their four meetings as they took care of business two times at home. For New Orleans, Oklahoma City took the season series 2-1, defeating them convincingly on their home floor in game two.
Against one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the league in the Pelicans, the Thunder's ability to match that while specializing their defensive plan with their long perimeter defenders will be something that is manageable. What might not be as manageable, though, is the interior dominance and downhill force of Zion Williamson. But after leaving Tuesday night's Play-In contest due to a left leg issue, his health might be a point of question down the line if they defeat Sacramento.
On Sacramento's side, the Thunder will have to limit the De'Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis pick-and-roll tandem, lock down the outside shooting and also set their defense against Fox's elusivity with the ball. Without Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, this makes this matchup much less daunting for Oklahoma City. But with the presence of Keegan Murray, it wouldn't be too much better of a matchup compared to the Pelicans for the Thunder.
No matter who they're matched up against, this Oklahoma City team is hungry. The city's buzzing, and it's a strong feeling that they'll embrace it to its fullest.
The Thunder's first playoff series in Oklahoma City since 2018-19 will begin at 8:30 p.m. CT on Sunday.
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