(Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters/Derick E. Hingle)
Golden State have the first of three chances to eliminate New Orleans after storming to a 118-92 victory in Game 4 on Sunday. Kevin Durant had a playoff-season high of 38 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists as the Warriors jumped out to a 17-4 lead en route to a wire-to-wire victory.
Stephen Curry added 23 points while Draymond Green again flirted with a triple-double before finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Green also had four of Golden State's 11 steals as the Warriors accumulated a 21-12 edge in points off turnovers as they forced the Pelicans into 19 mistakes while committing just 11.
Anthony Davis did what he could for New Orleans, totaling 26 points and 12 rebounds as he posted a double-double for the eighth time in as many postseason games. Rajon Rondo was held to a postseason-low six assists and has made just four of 21 shots over the last two games.
The Pelicans have not won a game when facing playoff elimination in four series since moving to the Western Conference in 2005. That includes a first-round sweep at the hands of the Warriors in 2015.
If the Pelicans do buck that trend, though, Game 6 will be at New Orleans on Thursday night.