NBA Playoffs: Thunder sweep Pelicans, Nuggets advance, Celtics win

Sports Daypop

The Oklahoma City Thunder have swept the New Orleans Pelicans in their opening-round playoff series with a 97-89 win in Game 4 on Monday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams scored 24 points each to help the Thunder earn their first series win since the 2015-16 season, when they made the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder will face the winner of the Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Clippers series in the second round; that series is currently tied 2-2.

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The Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 102-88 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, bringing them one win away from advancing to the next round. The Celtics’ Derrick White scored 38 points, marking a new career-high while , shooting 15 of 26 from the field and eight 3-pointers; meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis was forced to leave the game with a leg injury, with further evaluation set for Tuesday.

Game 5 will take place in Boston on Wednesday.

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The Denver Nuggets will advance to the second round after defeating the LA Lakers in Game 5 with a score of 108-106. Jamal Murray finished with 32 points, including the game-winning basket, with Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic combining for 51 points.

Denver will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.

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