The Denver Nuggets decimate the Golden State Warriors 134-111 – NBA Recap
The Denver Nuggets went berserk and put up 80 points in the second half to rout the Golden State Warriors in a 134-111 win at the Pepsi Centre in the Mile-high city on Monday. The Nuggets had nine players in double figures as they ripped apart Golden State
in all aspects of the game.
It was win number 50 for the Nuggets, as they also clinched the fifth National Basketball Association playoff-spot in the Western Conference.
J.R. Smith scored 22 points, Kosta Koufos went 6-of-8 for 18 points, Raymond Felton had 15 points and 10 assists while Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen put up 14 points and grabbed 12 rebound to round off a good night for the Nuggets.
The Warriors were missing their All-Star guard Monta Ellis who suffered a concussion and did not travel to Denver with the team. His absence showed in the way his team played in the second half.
Stephen Curry’s brilliant 3-pointer at the 2:13 mark put the Warriors up 30-25 in the first. Denver responded with a six point run to cut the deficit down and take the lead, but Curry nailed another magnificent jumper to give Golden State a narrow one-point
advantage heading into the second period.
In what was a low-scoring second quarter compared to the rest of the game, both teams battled it out and were not willing to give any headway to the opposition. The first half ended in a 54-54 tie.
The second half was a score-fest, as both teams kept finding the basket on a consistent basis. With Golden State up 76-73, the Nuggets went on an amazing 19-5 run to take a hold on the game. The Nuggets led 98-91 heading into the final quarter.
"It was just a matter of withstanding the run we knew they were going to have and it turned out to be a bigger run than we expected. We got out of the game a little in the third quarter. J.R. Smith came out and hit some big shots for them, spread the floor
and everybody started to get that momentum," said Curry.
The fourth period saw the Nuggets clamp down on the Warriors and restrict them to just 20 points, while they poured in an impressive 36 points themselves. Kosta Koufos added 16 points in the last quarter to finish the game off strong for Denver and secure
the win.
Denver outscored the Warriors in the painted-area during the game with a 76-38 advantage.
Stephen Curry and Dorell Wright scored 27 points apiece to lead the Golden State Warriors in the losing effort.
Tags: