It looks as though the NBA‘s Western Conference finals will be the match-up fans have wanted to see all season after Golden State and Houston moved to within a win of securing a face-off.

Defending champions the Warriors were 118-92 winners over the New Orleans Pelicans to open up a 3-1 series lead, while the Rockets dismissed the Utah Jazz 100-87 to do the same.

Having been humbled by the Pelicans in game three, the Warriors were in no mood to humour the home fans at the Smoothie King Centre, racing into a 14-4 lead early on.

Kevin Durant took his team and possibly the series by the scruff of the next with 38 points off 27 attempts, rebounding nine times. Steph Curry – back from injury – posted 23 and guard Quinn Cook chipped in with 12 from the bench.

Anthony Davis offered 26 for the Pelicans, who now have it all to do if they are to extend their season.

Chris Paul celebrated his 33rd birthday by out-scoring MVP favourite James Harden as the Rockets won.

Paul put up 27 on a rare night when Harden was eclipsed, adding 12 rebounds and six assists for good measure. Clint Capela was outstanding too, offering six blocks, 12 points and 15 redounds.

Twenty-five points from Donovan Mitchell were not enough to fire up the Jazz sufficiently.