The New Orleans Pelicans continue their march to an NBA title tonight in Oklahoma City when they take on the Thunder in game two of their first round playoff series. The Thunder took game one by the score of 94-92 as CJ McCollum's prayer at the buzzer missed the mark. Game one was marked by intense defense by both sides in a physical contest that harkened back to the glory days of the 1990's.
The Pelicans struggled to score the ball in Sunday night's game one. Brandon Ingram had a tough time shaking the straight-jacket put on him by Lu Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he'll need to have a big game tonight for the Pelicans to pull the upset. Look for CJ McCollum to rebound from an abysmal shooting performance as well.
On the other side of the floor, MVP candidate Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Jalen Williams led the Thunder offense scoring 28 and 19 points respectively, with only one other Thunder scoring in double-digits.
Tonight's pivotal game two can be billed as a "must-win" for the Pelicans, and it is if they want Zion Williamson to return to the floor this season. His original two week reevaluation timetable aligns with game five of this first-round series and a Pelicans win in game two would dramatically up the odds for a Williamson return.
The Thunder are favored by 7.5 points the morning of the game and the over/under is set at 211.5. New Orleans rode a three-game winning streak in the Oklahoma City's Paycom Center before dropping game on.
Here's how to catch tonight's game two.
Tip-off: 9:30 P.M. EST/8:30 P.M. CST.
Television: National broadcast - TNT.
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (PxP), Reggie Miller (analyst), Jamal Crawford (analyst), Allie LaForce (sideline)
Local broadcasts - Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Oklahoma, Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Midwest.
Radio: New Orleans Pelicans' flagship radio network WRNO 99.5 FM.