New Orleans has been in every recent game it’s played over the past 10 days, falling short each time but always carrying hope for a victory into the fourth quarter. Golden State made sure that run of competitiveness came to an end Friday.
The Warriors went up by double digits in the first half, before the Pelicans created a four-point margin at halftime, but the hosts regained control immediately after intermission. Golden State outscored New Orleans by a 34-16 tally in the third period, breaking open the Western Conference matchup. The Warriors went up by as many as 44 in the final minutes.