New Orleans vs. Golden State Game 3
IN PHOTO: Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores on a three point basket over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Quincy Pondexter (20) during the final seconds of the fourth quarter sending the game into overtime in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. REUTERS/Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Teams just can’t count out a team with Stephen Curry in the line-up, especially during the postseason. The Golden State Warriors trailed by as much as 20 points but Curry caught fire late as he led his team to forcing overtime against the New Orleans Pelicans and the stirring 123-119 comeback victory.

Curry, who finished with 40 points for the night, hit a difficult three-pointer with two seconds to go in regulation. The Pelicans had a chance to re-take the lead and avoid the extra period but Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans missed at the buzzer.

In overtime, it was all Warriors; Curry opened with a three-pointer and his team grabbed the 119-113 lead with under two minutes to go in the game. The Pelicans tried to mount their own comeback but the young team led by superstar big man Anthony Davis just could not complete their rally.

Davis finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots for the Pelicans, who had a 89-69 lead entering the final canto. Ryan Anderson came off the bench and had 26 points on 10-of-14 field goal shooting. Evans had 19 markers.

With a misfiring Curry in the first three quarters, Golden State went to Klay Thompson (28 points), Harrison Barnes (11 points) and Draymond Green (12 points and 17 rebounds). It was an unfortunate loss for the underdog Pelicans. They shot better from the field, 51.7 per cent to the Warriors’ 40.4 per cent; and competed both in points the paint, 46-42 and fastbreak points, 23-29 but just could not stop the Warriors in the key moments of the game.

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is on Saturday, when the Warriors will aim for the sweep. The winner of the Golden State-New Orleans series will be meeting the winner of the Memphis-Portland match-up in the next round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.

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