Warriors hold off Pelicans to launch playoff race (AFP)

The Golden State Warriors powered to a big lead Saturday, but had to battle late to hold off the New Orleans Pelicans 106-99 in the first game of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. Stephen Curry scored 34 points and the Warriors looked like living up to their status as the top team in the regular-season with a blowout. New Orleans put together a 14-0 scoring run bridging the third and fourth quarters, trimming a 25-point deficit to 11. Curry and Klay Thompson responded for Golden State, draining back-to-back three-pointers to launch a 7-0 run for the hosts.