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The top-seeded Thunder avoided an upset in their playoff opener as Shai-Gilgeous Alexander dropped in a game-high 29 points as the Thunder slipped past the Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1 of their first round series in OKC.
Jalen Williams added 19 points and Chet Holmgren had 15 to go with 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven set.
Trey Murphy III scored 21 points to lead New Orleans, which is without star Zion Williamson. CJ McCollum netted 20 points, while Brandon Ingram had just 12 in the setback.
Game 2 is Wednesday in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m., News Talk 99.5 WRNO, TNT).
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