Thunder Threes Help OKC Cruise to Easy Game 3 Win Over Pelicans

The Oklahoma City Thunder made 17 three-pointers, shot 48 percent overall from the field and forced 20 turnovers on their way to a 106-85 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 3 of their first round playoff series on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

The Thunder used an 18-4 run in the second quarter to take charge and led by as many as 24 points as they cruised to a 3-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time since 2013.

The win also ended a 12-game losing streak for OKC in road playoff games, with their last win coming in Game 1 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals at Golden State.

Four of the five Thunder starters scored in double figures, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading OKC with 24 points.

Both Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey had 21 points, with Williams adding 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and Giddey contributing 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Luguentz Dort had 12 points, all on four three-pointers and he knocked down three in a row during the decisive second quarter run.

Giddey also made four three-pointers, as eight different Thunder players made a shot beyond the arc.

OKC was 17-for-36 from three-point range.

The Pelicans shot 38 percent from the field and were just 9-for-32 from three-point range.

The Thunder will go for a first round sweep of New Orleans on Monday night, with the tipoff time to be announced later.