NBA playoffs 2013: Stephen Curry dominates, L.A. Lakers’ season ends meekly

But a lot of it is also bad Denver defense.

The one thing Denver could hang their hat on: the above screenshot was Curry’s only first-half field goal. As the Nuggets rallied in the third quarter, Curry still had been stymied.

Or so we thought.

Small problem: Nash was injured throughout and played fewer minutes than at any point in the past 12 seasons, and Howard -- though playing better than Bynum this season -- wasn’t nearly up to his recent standard. Basically, instead of STEVE NASH and DWIGHT HOWARD the Lakers got a part-time Steve Nash and a Dwight Howard impersonator.

The soon-to-be free-agent center said the Lakers’ 2012-13 season was “Like a nightmare” when asked to summarize the year. He also talked about the difficulty of coming back from major back surgery, stating he felt pain throughout the entire season, but tried to fight through it.

• Russell Westbrook’s injury turns playoffs upside down

Kobe Bryant tried to do everything he could to will the Lakers to a victory. But all he could do was stand on the sideline and yell and be sad.

Eventually, the Spurs would frustrate Howard enough that he was ejected after his second technical foul in Game 4.

Tim Duncan had nothing but praise for Popovich after the game, saying that it is a “honor” playing for him. Duncan also expressed optimism going forward, saying he likes the pace, the rhythm, and the health of the team as they advance through the playoffs.

There were four more NBA playoff games on Sunday, with two first-round series coming to an end. Let’s take a look at the action.

The Spurs were in control from the start, going up six after one quarter and extending their lead out to 18 at halftime. The rest was a mere formality, as the hobbled Lakers never mounted much of a comeback. The closest the Lakers would get in the second half was 16 points.

Many of their fans didn’t feel that way, what with all the empty seats at tipoff and all those in blue and orange who infiltrated the Garden. Even if you didn’t really believe, this would have been an unconscionable way to go out, getting swept on their home court with the organist trying desperately to drown out the chants and jeers of thousands of Knicks fans.

Terry was so gassed up he scored their final nine points in overtime that finally pushed the Celtics over the top, 97-90. This was the big-game JET the C’s thought they were getting when they signed him as a free agent last summer. Not the one who has rarely been on speaking terms with his wayward jumper. Better a delayed flight than a grounded one.

But really, the stars of the night were the crazy trick dogs that performed at halftime.

Curry took just three shots in the first half, although he did have five assists and three steals. He made several earlier than usual trips to the bench, leading some to believe there was something seriously wrong with the ankle. However, Curry would not let the injury bother him, and his third quarter shooting display helped blow open what was a close game. The only thing that would slow Curry in the second half was a shot to the eye that forced him to the bench for a few minutes, but he would return as the Warriors cruised to victory.

The game started as a back and forth affair, with the two teams needing a few minutes to find a rhythm. Bogut enjoyed some early success despite two fouls, making hay down low with eight quick points and several thunderous dunks. Landry came off the bench and immediately made his impact known, knocking down a couple of jumpers and scoring six points in the first quarter.

This is the James Bond of dogs. I want this dog to do secret missions for me.

Oh and here’s a dog riding a scooter because apparently that is a thing that can happen now. WHERE DO I GET A DOG THAT CAN RIDE ON A SCOOTER?

Kevin Zimmerman looked at three keys heading into this crucial Game 4.

The Warriors have had a lot of success scoring in the paint and from beyond the arc this series, so the Nuggets need to limit at least one of those areas in order to get into it. Denver has not had much success doing either, as Golden State has 28 points in the paint while shooting 4-of-10 from deep.

The Keyboard Cat makes everything better. Trust me.

What else can Mike D’Antoni do? All of his players are hurt and the Spurs are relentless basketball robots. I think he wants to just go home and take a nap.

He’s having a really hard time you guys.

The Lakers made only one three-point field goal, have turned the ball over 15 times and are down 18 points to San Antonio. To put it into perspective, the Lakers have as many turnovers as they do field goals.

The Lakers were not able to establish Gasol through the first half as the Spurs fronted Gasol and the Lakers struggled with basic entry passes. While Gasol scored ten points, his impact has not been felt. After notching a triple-double in Game 3, Gasol has only four rebounds and one assist through the first two quarters of Game 4.

• Russell Westbrook’s injury turns playoffs upside down

• Boston’s beaten down and beat up

• Russell Westbrook’s injury turns playoffs upside down

• Boston’s beaten down and beat up

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett weren’t going down without a fight. The Boston Celtics survived in overtime to beat the New York Knicks, 97-90, on Sunday despite blowing a 20-point lead. The win at TD Garden forced a Game 5 in New York.

Anthony scored 36 points but went 10-for-35 from the floor while scoring 16 points from the charity stripe.