The Oklahoma City Thunder leaned on their defensive ability while sweeping the Pelicans. That can take the Thunder far in the NBA Playoffs.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder broke out the brooms in New Orleans to sweep the Pelicans in the first round of the NBA Playoffs – the story of the series was defense.

Oklahoma City rarely had their A-game offensively. Outside of a Game 2 outburst and eventually breaking open Game 3, the Thunder hung their hats on the defensive end.

While sample size — and opponent — matters, the Thunder’s ability to allow no more than 92 points in any of the four games against the Pelicans shows how dangerous OKC is.