NBA Scores: Warriors advance to the Western Conference Finals behind a 113-104 win over the Pelicans

The Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 to win their series 4-1 and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth consecutive year.

The Warriors got stellar performance from all four of their all-stars to help net the win, but plenty of lapses helped keep the Pelicans around in a game that looked like it should’ve never been as close as it got.

Stephen Curry lead the way with 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, making three 3-pointers. He had some poor passing decisions, and his handle looked a bit rusty still. But for the most part, he looked better than the previous 2 games.

Draymond Green nearly missed another triple double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. He was crucial, clutch, and played amazing defense on Anthony Davis all night.

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant meanwhile combined for 47 points and provided crucial scoring during stretches when the Warriors were getting a bit cold.

Warriors open cold from deep... except Klay

Despite both the Warriors and Pelicans shooting a similar number of shots and 40% from the field through the majority of the first half, the Warriors found it difficult to find any large separation.

This in large had to do with the Warriors starting an icy 2-for-11 from deep while the Pelicans converted close to 60% of their attempts.

Luckily Thompson started the game on fire to provide most of the offense needed to take and maintain a lead.

Whenever the Dubs began to find themselves distancing themselves a bit from their opponent, the Pelicans would use a mini run to bring the lead right back down to a single possession game.

The Warriors lead going into halftime was a mere 3 points and the first half was a demonstration of how unstoppable Golden State can be, but also how they can beat themselves at times still.

Annnnnd the Warriors look like they end it again in the 3rd

The Warriors decided to flip the switch once again and exploded upon the Pelicans almost immediately once the second half began.

New Orlean’s decision to never stray away from their plan to push the pace played right into the home team’s hands, as the Warriors used the frantic action to find plenty of good looks to convert in transition.

Once Curry and Durant got going, the Pelicans appeared like they couldn’t do anything to slow down the Warriors no matter how many timeouts Alvin Gentry called to try to cut the momentum.

Behind stellar defense and a ton of deflections, the Warriors managed to peel away outscoring the opponent by 17 points in the quarter, and never relinquished their lead through the final buzzer.

New Orleans makes it a game in the fourth

New Orleans managed to go on a 18-2 late in the final quarter to cut it to 7 points with a little less than a minute to go.

The Warriors began turning the ball over in droves and missing shots, allowing the Pelicans to climb back into a game that seemed over just several minutes earlier.

But Green wouldn’t have it, denying them the chance to come back with a clutch turnaround jumper with the shot clock expiring and a nice driving layup past the extended arms of Anthony Davis.

The Warriors would be able to walk out the final seconds of the game before the final buzzer sounded and the blue and gold confetti began to drop down from the rafters.

Watch out Houston, here we come.