Chris Paul won’t revel in Rockets’ 3-1 lead over Jazz, because he knows ‘sh*t went bad’ before

Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets took a 3-1 series lead over the Utah Jazz after a wire-to-wire Game 4 win Sunday night, but the All-Star point guard isn’t ready to celebrate just yet. After all, he’s seen a 3-1 series lead evaporate in Houston firsthand.

”It’s a process, man,” Paul told TNT sideline reporter Kristen Ledlow after the victory. “I’ve been here before. 3-1; sh*t went bad real quick ... We’re just enjoying the process,”

The veteran guard was referring to his 2015 Western Conference Semifinal appearance, where his Clippers squared off against the Rockets team for whom he now plays. Los Angeles took a 3-1 series lead after four games, then dropped the final three contests -- all by 12 points or more -- to put a disappointing cap on a 56-win season.

While that letdown was fresh on his mind while he was still on the court, he’d put it out of his mind between the locker room and his trip to the postgame press conference.

”I don’t know. James [Harden] was fouling, they was cheating,” said Paul. “I don’t remember. I got that out of my brain. That’s out. That’s out.”

A follow-up on the 2015 series, which pit Harden against Paul, was quickly deflected by the probable 2018 NBA MVP, who said he’d rather focus on the rest of his series against the Jazz.

Paul’s batting 1.000 with 3-1 experiences with his latest team. The Rockets closed out the Timberwolves to start their 2018 Playoffs, winning Game 5 with a convincing 122-104 performance that pushed them another step toward what the franchise hopes will be its third NBA title. They’ll have the chance to finish off the Jazz when the two teams meet again Tuesday, this time back on Houston’s home court.