The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant performance in the series against the New Orleans Pelicans with a convincing 106-85 victory in Game 3 on Saturday. With this win, the Thunder now hold a 3-0 lead in the series, putting them on the brink of a potential sweep in Game 4 on Monday night.

Right from the start, the Thunder outscored the Pelicans in each quarter and never trailed after the 7:25 mark of the first quarter. Their formidable defense forced 20 turnovers from New Orleans, allowing Oklahoma City to capitalize and score 17 three-pointers compared to the Pelicans' nine.

Leading the scoring charge for the Thunder was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with a game-high 24 points. Gilgeous-Alexander was one of three Oklahoma City starters to reach the 20-point mark, showcasing the team's balanced offensive attack.

While the Thunder's performance has been dominant, there are concerns about potentially becoming rusty if they secure a sweep on Monday. Due to scheduling, the Thunder would have a week off before their next game against either the Dallas Mavericks or the LA Clippers. The extended break could present a challenge in maintaining their sharpness and momentum for the second round of the playoffs.

Despite this concern, the Thunder's focus remains on the present series against the Pelicans. New Orleans has struggled to generate consistent offense, failing to surpass 92 points in any of the three games. The absence of Zion Williamson has undoubtedly impacted their offensive capabilities, but the Pelicans must regroup and find a way to be more effective.

Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans' leading scorer, finished with 19 points in Game 3, but he has yet to reach the 20-point threshold in this series. Along with Ingram's struggles, the Pelicans have also grappled with turnovers, committing a combined 39 turnovers in Games 2 and 3.

The fourth game of the series will take place back in New Orleans on Monday night, with the Thunder aiming to complete the sweep. However, if the Pelicans can make adjustments and find solutions to their offensive woes, they could potentially extend the series and force a fifth game.

Meanwhile, in another playoff matchup, the Orlando Magic delivered a commanding 112-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4. Jalen Suggs played a pivotal role in setting the tone for the Magic, contributing on both ends of the floor. Suggs' defensive prowess and improved offensive performance propelled the Magic to victory.

Looking ahead, as the series heads to a pivotal Game 5 in Cleveland on Tuesday, Suggs remains the barometer for the Magic's success. His impact on the court will likely determine the outcome of the series between the two teams.

For the Cavaliers, their performance in Game 4 was less than desirable. After suffering a 38-point loss in Game 3, the Cavaliers failed to find their rhythm on offense in Game 4, shooting just 4-of-17 from beyond the arc. Additionally, a disastrous third quarter where they had more turnovers than field goals left the team facing an uphill battle.

As the series progresses, the Magic have shown their ability to make adjustments and play with intensity, while the Cavaliers need to regroup and find a way to compete on the road.

Both series continue to provide intriguing storylines as teams battle for a spot in the next round of the NBA playoffs.