KD on target as Pelicans pummeled
Durant’s shooting has Warriors poised to clinch series at home
NEW ORLEANS — Kevin Durant made his approach to taking over a pivotal NBA playoff game sound so simple — and look that way, too.
“I just try to tell myself that I’m at my best when I don’t care what happens after the game ... the outcome or anything,” Durant said.
“That’s when I’m free and having fun out there, and forceful. That was the thing — just try to play with force no matter if I missed shots or not, just keep shooting, keep being aggressive.”
Durant scored Golden State’s first two baskets on pull-up jumpers of 21 and 15 feet before 90 seconds had elapsed in Game 4 of the Warriors’ Western Conference semifinal series against New Orleans on Sunday.
He finished with 38 points on 15-of-27 shooting to go with nine rebounds as Golden State soundly defeated the Pelicans 118-92 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to the West Coast.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry said it was apparent early that getting the ball to Durant would be wise.
“Just find ways to get him in scoring positions,” Curry said. “Sometimes, that’s not really hard to do — just throw it to him.
“Just keep the game simple at that point because he’s such a great scorer, you don’t have to really overthink things.”
The Warriors lost by 19 in Game 3 on Friday, but they responded with a resounding effort that produced a wire-towire win with leads as large as 26 points.
Curry scored 23, Klay Thompson added 13 and Quinn Cook contributed 12 points.
Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, but the Pelicans hit only 36 percent (32 of 88) of their shots, missing 22 of 26 3-point attempts.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said Golden State’s defense “had a lot to do with” the Pelicans’ poor shooting.
“We didn’t have the looks we normally have,” he said. “We pressed a little bit when we got behind.”
E’Twaun Moore scored 20 and Jrue Holiday 19, but New Orleans reserves combined for just 14 points after scoring 32 two nights earlier.
Rajon Rondo finished with 11 rebounds but had only six assists after racking up 21 in Game 3. The Pelicans also committed 19 turnovers, which led to 21 Golden State points.
“We missed a lot of easy shots, a couple game-plan discipline mistakes early on and they came out on fire,” Davis said.
“We just can’t afford to shoot that poorly. But we’ve got another game. Any time we’ve been punched in the mouth, we’ve always responded very well.”
Finding range
After shooting poorly on Friday, the Warriors were eager to regain their rhythm and did so immediately. They hit six of their first eight shots, with Durant making his first three.
“He was attacking tonight right from the beginning and he was brilliant,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
“He found better spots on the floor with his aggression and created easier shots for himself.”
Thompson and Curry each added early 3s. That and solid defense helped Golden State open a 10-point lead in the first four minutes.
The Pelicans missed eight of their first 10 shots and trailed 20-6 after Green made Golden State’s fourth 3.
The Pelicans were within seven by halftime, only to botch the opening of the third quarter.
Rondo’s bounce pass handcuffed Davis as he cut to the hoop for what looked like a dunk in the making. Moments later, Green fired a cross-court pass to Durant for a one-handed jam.
Andre Iguodala and Curry followed with 3s and, in two minutes, the Warriors’ lead ballooned to 15.
Downsizing
Kerr went with a different lineup for a third consecutive game. Green moved to center after starting at forward in Game 3, 7-foot center JaVale McGee returned to a reserve role and Iguoda returned to the first unit at forward.
Curry, Thompson and Durant rounded out the starting five.
“The effort at both ends tonight was night and day from Game 3,” said Kerr.”