Stephen Curry scores 34 points, Warriors beat Nuggets

Stephen Curry scored 24 of his 34 factors within the second half, and the Golden State Warriors closed the sport with a 13-0 run to beat the Denver Nuggets 113-102 on Thursday night time.

Jordan Poole had 21 factors, and Jonathan Kuminga and Klay Thompson added 18 every for the Warriors, who beat the Nuggets for the primary time this season. Denver gained its first three video games towards Golden State this season, most just lately a Monday night time matchup within the Mile-Excessive Metropolis wherein Curry, Thompson and Andrew Wiggins had been held out for relaxation.

“We simply caught with it,” Poole mentioned. “We fought the whole 48, quite a lot of guys stepped up. We have been actually in a position to lock in on the defensive finish within the fourth quarter.”

Denver’s Nikola Jokic had 23 factors, 12 rebounds and 9 assists, simply lacking his nineteenth triple double of the season. Monte Morris added 19 factors for the Nuggets. Golden State gained its second straight after a five-game shedding streak.

“It was an ideal second half, horrible first half, so I’m happy with the best way the blokes responded,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “It was a much-needed win and hopefully we will put collectively somewhat streak right here.

“The primary half, we have been taking awful photographs. I’m going to proceed to emphasize to all of our guys, together with Klay, obtained to get good photographs. It offers our video games a steadiness. We now have about 15 video games left and we’ve got to get higher from right here.”

Trailing by 9 on the break, the Warriors used a robust third quarter to retake the lead behind a resurgent Curry, who had 18 factors within the interval, together with a head-spinning 3-pointer he launched from 33 toes away.

Golden State took an 88-84 benefit into the fourth quarter and stretched their result in eight however couldn’t break free. A driving layup by Jokic evened the rating at 98 with 5:25 left to play.

The sport remained tight within the closing minutes with Denver taking a 102-100 lead on a pair of free throws by Aaron Gordon with 3:10 left to play. That may be the final time the Nuggets scored.

Curry drove to the basket for layups on successive possessions for a 104-102 lead with 1:59 remaining. Poole then linked on a pair of 3-pointers round consecutive Denver turnovers to seal the victory.

The Nuggets have been enjoying their fourth recreation in 5 nights and Morris mentioned fatigue may have been an element within the crew’s turnover-plagued end. Denver got here in having gained 10 of its earlier 11.

“I believe it undoubtedly weighed on us tonight, particularly the best way they moved,” Morris mentioned. “They’ll mess with you with switches and stuff. It’s powerful with Steph on the market attracting a lot consideration. You form of neglect you continue to have to assist different guys. However it was a very good check for us and I like the place we’re at within the season proper now.”

A basket by Poole put the Warriors up 35-32 early within the second quarter earlier than the Nuggets, with their second unit on the ground, went on a surprising 15-0 run. Davon Reed capped the surge with a 3-pointer, JaMychal Inexperienced had two rim-rattling dunks, each off feeds within the lane from Bones Hyland, who additionally had a nifty drive previous Kuminga for a finger-roll layup.

The Warriors reduce the deficit to some extent on Kevon Looney’s financial institution shot, however the Nuggets scored eight straight factors within the last 94 seconds of the quarter, culminated by Morris’ operating layup for Denver’s 60-51 halftime lead.

TIP-INS

Warriors: F Draymond Inexperienced, sidelined since early January with a again damage, is predicted to return subsequent week. … F Otto Porter Jr. missed a 3rd recreation due to sickness. … G Gary Payton II stays day after day due to left knee soreness.

Nuggets: F Will Barton missed a 3rd consecutive recreation with a left ankle sprain suffered Sunday towards New Orleans. … F Jeff Inexperienced returned to the lineup after lacking Wednesday’s recreation in Sacramento to be along with his spouse for the start of their daughter. … Hyland returned to motion after lacking the Sacramento recreation as a result of left knee soreness.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Return dwelling to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night time.

Nuggets: Host Toronto on Saturday night time.