Warriors, Rockets cruise to 3-1 West series leads

Kevin Durant had 38 points and nine rebounds and the visiting Warriors soundly defeated the Pelicans 118-92 on Sunday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

The Warriors responded to their 19-point loss in Game 3 with a resounding effort that produced a wireto-wire victory with leads as large as 26 points.

“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,” said Durant, who made 15 of 27. “That’s when I’m free and ... just trying to play with force no matter if I missed shots or not, just keep shooting, keep being aggressive.”

Durant made 15 of 27 shots. Stephen Curry scored 23, Klay Thompson added 13 and Quinn Cook contributed 12.

Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who hit only 36 percent (32 of 88) of their shots, missing 22 of 26 3-point attempts.

E’Twaun Moore scored 20 and Jrue Holiday 19, but the Pelicans’ reserves combined for just 14 points after scoring 32 two nights earlier. Rajon Rondo finished with 11 rebounds, but the Pelicans also committed 19 turnovers, which led to 21 Warriors points.

Curry played in his 78th career playoff game, passing Jeff Mullins for third in Warriors history. Only Thompson (90) and Draymond Green (89) have more.

Chris Paul had 27 points and 12 rebounds while James Harden scored 24 as the visiting Rockets took a 3-1 lead in the West semifinals.

Paul, playing the sidekick to Harden for most of his first season in Houston, took center stage, controlling the tempo and getting to his favorite spots as the Rockets led from start to finish.

Clint Capela, who anchors the Rockets’ defense, had 12 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks.

Donovan Mitchell scored 25 before fouling out and Joe Ingles had 15 for the Jazz. Ricky Rubio missed his fourth straight game due to a strained left hamstring but is close to returning.

The NBA fined Raptors President Masai Ujiri $25,000 for walking onto the court at halftime of Game 3 against the Cavaliers to confront officials for reversing a call.

The Raptors were irate that what had appeared to be a basket and potential free throw by Serge Ibaka was downgraded to a foul with no basket and no free throw.