The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of being swept away for a second straight playoff series as the Golden State Warriors made a late series to beat Denver by five. Golden State made a 9-2 run to end the game, and the Nuggets lost six goals in six straight games to Barton’s failed shot. This will be Denver’s 6th straight loss in the playoffs and doesn’t look good for a comeback as the teams are 0-143 for all times when they are 0-3 behind in the playoffs.
Jokic played well with 37 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 14-22 and 2-3 shots from behind. Gordon came in with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t a game for the Warriors’ perimeter shooting. They scored 18 triples with 45% shooting from depth. Curry and Poole had three threes, and Thompson had six in the game. The Nuggets gave everything they had tonight, but it’s clear that the Warriors are just the better team. Denver will try to avoid a cleanup on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
1st quarter
- Jokic started the match with an isolating shot by Kevan Looney, and then Poole continued his hot shot, knocking down a three-pointer. In the next possession, Monte found Gordon for a one-handed strike, but Thompson would respond with a fake post.
- Poole gave the Warriors a 7-4 lead with a run, and Draymond Green followed with a three-pointer. Morris reduced the lead to two with a swim and a long shot for two points
- Thompson broke three corners and another beam for a 15-8 advantage for Warrior. After a Denver timeout, Jokic scored a three-pointer and Barton hit a mid-range jumper, but Golden State responded with a pass from Wiggins and Draymond.
- Jokic helped the Nuggets climb in four at 19-16 with a jump and one, but Curry countered with his first three of the game. Jokic then found Barton for three, and then Rivers tied the game at 22 with three corners
- Gary Peyton II scored five consecutive goals, and Poole added one pass after a time-out at Golden State. Jokic ended his series 8-0 with two drifts, but Curry responded with his own flower
- Forbes and Boogie reduced the lead to just two with two free throws each. Curry and Boogie then swapped to end the quarter
Result: 34-32 Warriors
Leaders by points: Jokic – 12, Poole – 8
2nd quarter
- Poole started the quarter with three more, but Forbes responded with a game for four points. Thompson then broke his second three, but Boogie countered with both hands
- Poole knocked down his third three in the game, but Denver responded with layups from Boogie and JaMychal Green. Rivers finished the game at 45 with their second three, but the Warriors responded again with four in a row to regain their lead.
- After both teams turned the ball around, Peyton II hit his second three from a corner, and then Jokic headed for the grid for two. Porter Jr. and Maurice swap baskets, but Peyton II hit another three-pointer for Warrier’s 57-49 lead.
- Wiggins scored five consecutive points as the Warriors continued their usual end of the second quarter. Barton stopped the bleeding with a triple, and Jokic followed with a float
- Curry and Gordon equalized the baskets, and then Jokic reduced the lead to 63-59 with a swimmer. Curry managed to win his second three and recorded one and one layouts to end the half
Result: 69-59 Warriors
Leaders by points: Jokic – 18, Poole – 16
3rd quarter
- Jokic initiated the half with a shot from the left hand, and Uncle Jeff scored a goal when the crossbar faded. Poole then scored a pass, but Maurice responded with three corners to reduce the lead to 71-66.
- Barton scored three corners along with one free throw by Maurice to climb within one. Thompson reassured the audience with another three-pointer, but Denver responded with two free throws and a pass from Gordon to equalize once more.
- After a free throw by Poole, Jokic hit a sweet fading baseline for two, then found Gordon to score when the Nuggets took a 78-75 lead. Jokic found Gordon to score again, but Thompson ended the score with a three-pointer
- Two free throws by Golden State tied the score at 80, while Thompson converted a transition position from a turnaround in Denver. Jokic and Curry swap baskets, then Denver regained the lead with a three-pointer by Bones and a jump from Gordon’s baseline.
- Bones then threw a finger, but Poole finished the quarter with two free throws.
Result: 89-87 Nuggets
Leaders by points: Jokic – 26, Poole – 21
4th quarter
- Golden State started the quarter with a pool and one pass, but JaMychal regained the lead with two free throws. Thompson then made his 5th three-pointer, but JaMychal responded with two more free throws.
- Bjelica knocked down two free throws combined with a pass from Porter Jr. to take a 97-93 lead. After a reversal, Gordon made a three-pointer into a corner, but Thompson would hit another three-pointer
- Jokic broke a three-pointer from the top of the key, but Iguodala responded with a single kick. Jokic then threw one for two, and then Iguodala missed one of two free throws as both teams entered the penalty area with 6:00 left.
- Jokic knocked down two free throws, but Curry increased Warrior’s lead to five with a three-pointer. Jokic made two more free throws, and Uncle Jeff equalized at 107 with two free throws
- The parade to the line continued with two free throws by Curry and Gordon. Jokic gave Denver a 111-109 lead with a finger spin, but Wiggins regained a three-corner lead
- Poole twisted for a difficult lay, and Curry added another lay, which increased their lead to five. After Draymond chose Jokic’s pocket with 30 seconds left, a foul game ensued
- Barton hit a pass, but Curry hit one of two free throws to go up by five with 21 seconds left. Barton will miss three of Denver’s time-outs
Result: 118-113 Warriors
Become leaders
Points: Jokic – 37
Fights: Jokic – 18
Assistants: Greens – 10
Silent hero of the game: Clay Thompson – 27 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in shooting 10-18 and 6-13 out of three
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