Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a win at the Denver Nuggets for MVP Nikola Jokic. The guard broke a magical sound barrier with a 113:102 win, but Jordan Poole sunk the most important shot of the evening.
Denver Nuggets (40-27) – Golden State Warriors (45-22) 102:113 (BOXSCORE)
Both teams have had brutal schedules lately, and this was particularly noticeable in the closing stages when both Denver and Golden State looked more like stumbling boxers. Hardly any more points were scored, in the end it was Jordan Poole’s young legs that made the difference.
The 23-year-old sank two threes in a row in the last minute, while Denver produced two consecutive turnovers in their fourth game in five days. Nikola Jokic again had a good statline with 23 points (9/20 FG, 0/8 three), 12 rebounds and 9 assists, but in the end he also lacked the grain, partly because Kevon Looney (10, 5 rebounds) denied Serbs defended better than almost anyone else this season. Golden State didn’t allow a point in the last 3:10 minutes and scored 13 themselves.
But the best man of the guests was Curry, who had brought the dubs on the road to victory in the first place with two good drives to the basket. The chef had 34 points (11/21 FG, 5/12 threes) and 9 rebounds. Curry also broke the sound barrier of 20,000 points – and this happened at the end of the third quarter in classic Curry fashion. A quick crossover, a deep threesome close to the logo, nothing but net. It was the conclusion of a real show delivered by the point guard in the final six minutes of the period. With 15 points, the chef turned a two-digit deficit into a lead (88:84).
Stephen Curry catches fire in the third quarter
The first half had belonged to the hosts, who could once again rely on a strong Jokic, but then broke away just when the Serb got a break. A 15:2 run by the bank around DeMarcus Cousins, JaMychal Green or rookie Bones Hyland (nice Handles!) gave Denver a double-digit lead for the first time, which the hosts were able to preserve until the break.
Even after the change, Denver was the dominant team, the break only came when Jokic conceded his fourth foul in the middle of the third quarter and Curry suddenly caught fire. Rookie Jonathan Kuminga (18) also provided energy during this phase, who was an invigorating element with his athleticism. Poole scored 21 points (8/13), Klay Thompson had 18 points (7/20 FG, 2/8 trebles).
The Nuggets hit poorly at the other end (just 42 percent), rebounds and free throws kept the hosts, who won the first three draws this season against Golden State, in the game. Monte Morris (19, 8/14) hit important shots in the fourth quarter, but little came of the rest.
