- Russian northeast offensive pushes on as Putin blames Kyiv
- UK's Labour eyes closer relations with EU
- Police detain golf world No.1 Scheffler outside PGA course
- US tariffs on Chinese EVs hurt green transition: XPeng boss
- Brit drama 'Bird' brings grit, fantasy and tunes to Cannes
- Man City will not cruise to Premier League glory, warns Guardiola
- 'Gold Rush' for Stockholm with Taylor Swift Eras tour
- England captain Buttler buoyed by return of 'superstar' Archer
- Police detain golf world No.1 Scheffler outside PGA course: US media, video
- Coppola shrugs off 'Megalopolis' cost as Stone and Gere hit Cannes
- Slovak PM has new surgery, condition 'still very serious'
- Ukraine says Russian advance pushing ahead as Putin blames Kyiv
- Unbeaten Leverkusen facing three finals in a week, says Alonso
- Germany defender Henrichs extends deal in Leipzig until 2028
- Standard Liege troubles shine light on Everton's would-be buyers
- French reinforcements reach 'calmer' New Caledonia after riots
- EU warns Microsoft to give risk data on Bing AI or face fines
- Allegri on verge of sack after Italian Cup rampage: media
- Newcastle desperate to end season on a high with European spot: Howe
- First aid enters Gaza via US-built pier
- French police kill man trying to set fire to synagogue
- Hong Kong, Shanghai stocks rally on China property support
- Barca coach Xavi set for sack - reports
- 'Couldn't agree terms': Tuchel confirms exit despite Bayern U-turn
- 'As long as it takes': Georgia's Gen Z leading street protests
- At Thailand dive expo, fears for coral's future
- Saudi crown prince seeks soft power in game hub Japan
- 'We had a great time': Klopp prepares for Anfield farewell
- 'Couldn't agree on terms': Tuchel confirms Bayern exit
- Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musician
- Energy transition risks critical mineral shortage: IEA
- 'Fight of the century': Fury, Usyk in rare undisputed clash
- Hurricanes survive fightback to regain Super Rugby top spot
- 'Balaclavas and big sticks': New Caledonia tourists trapped by riots
- Thiago, Matip to leave Liverpool at end of season
- Israel says S.Africa 'genocide' case at UN court 'totally divorced' from facts
- Gaza fighting rages after Israel vows to intensify Rafah offensive
- Hong Kong, Shanghai stand out in Asia on China property support
- IEA warns of key energy mineral shortage risk
- Israel says S.Africa 'genocide' case 'totally divorced' from facts
- Defender Matip to leave Liverpool at end of season
- Musk confirms Twitter has become X.com
- Gomes eyes becoming first Portuguese coach to win CAF Cup
- Crisis-ridden Boeing prepares for turbulence at annual meeting
- Hong Kong, Shanghai stand out in Asia after China property move
- Coppola faces press after epic 'Megalopolis' splits Cannes
- China offers to buy up commercial housing to boost property market
- US military says first aid delivered to Gaza via temporary pier
- Muslim professionals quit 'hostile' France in silent brain drain
- China cuts rates, could buy up commercial housing to boost property market
Thunder seal Pelicans sweep to advance as Celtics on brink
The Oklahoma City Thunder sealed a 4-0 series sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans to book their place in the NBA playoffs second round Monday as Boston dominated Miami to move to the brink of the conference semi-finals.
Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City finally got the better of New Orleans with a late scoring burst in the fourth quarter to complete a 97-89 road victory in Louisiana.
The Pelicans led by five points with just over eight minutes remaining before Oklahoma City responded with an 18-2 run to close out victory in a hard-fought contest that saw the lead change hands 19 times.
Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder scoring with 24 points apiece while Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey each scored 14 and Luguentz Dort 11.
It was the Thunder's first playoff series win since 2016 and leaves them facing a Western Conference semi-final against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Dallas Mavericks.
"This was probably our hardest game," Williams said afterwards. "We weren't hitting shots but I think defensively we locked in down the stretch.
"We're all together through thick and thin, through the ups and downs of the season. We've hung in there together and now you see the result."
- Boston extinguish Heat -
Elsewhere on Monday, Derrick White scored 38 points as the top-seeded Boston Celtics dominated Miami 102-88 on the road to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.
After a 20-point win over Miami in game three Saturday, Boston picked up where they left off with another emphatic performance over last season's Eastern Conference champions.
White set the tone for Boston with an electric first-quarter display, rattling in 16 points in the opening frame -– including four three-pointers -– to help the Celtics take a 10-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Boston kept up the pressure to open up a 53-36 half-time advantage.
The Celtics stretched the lead to 28 points at one stage in the third quarter, and even though Miami rallied in the fourth, narrowing the deficit to 13 points with just over five minutes remaining, Boston's grip on the lead never looked in serious jeopardy.
The win means the Celtics can clinch their place in the second round, where they will face either Orlando or Cleveland, with a victory in game five Wednesday back in Boston.
On Monday's evidence, few would bet against Boston bringing the series to a swift conclusion.
"I made a couple of shots early and that always helps," White said of his career-high playoff scoring performance.
"Once you've made a couple the basket looks huge. I just wanted to be aggressive and try to make the right play every time I was on the court."
White insisted Boston would take nothing for granted as they attempt to close out the series in front of their home fans.
"It's going to be a tough game five. We know they ain't going away so we've got to be ready to go," White said.
H.Seidel--BTB