Nuggets win overtime thriller by The Bay

Wednesday night the Denver Nuggets (26-14) played on the road in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors (12-27).  It was the third match up between these two teams this season.  Denver won the previous two games.  The first game was won decisively by Denver 135-107.  The second game ended on a controversial last second call which sent JR Smith to the line for game winning free throws.

The Warriors sported yellow throw-back jerseys from the San Francisco Warriors days.

The first quarter was and up and down battle.  Denver got Nene involved early which has become the norm.  Monta Ellis and Cory Maggette led the way offensively for Don Nelson’s Warriors.

Golden State remained close with offensive rebounding.  Denver wasn’t blocking out and let the worst offensive rebounding team in the league get too many second chances.  Golden State has only out rebounded their opponents five times this season

Golden State went on a 9-0 run with their second unit in the game. Denver responded by feeding Nene on the offensive end.  Nene finished the half with 12 points and Carmelo had 10.  Denver couldn’t find an answer for Monta Ellis who had a 17 point first half.  Golden State’s bench outscored Denver’s 16-6.

Denver looked to redeem their third quarter woes against sub-500 teams.  This didn’t happen as Ellis, and Maggette combined for 46 points.  Golden State dominated much of the play in the third.  The quarter ended in an unusual way as Monta Ellis fouled Ty Lawson at half court, as Lawson was throwing up a desperation last second shot. Golden State has a way of committing stupid fouls at the end of quarters and games against Denver.  Denver was able to cut the lead to one after trailing by as much as nine and more importantly take  the momentum away from the Warriors.

Key defensive stops and defensive rebounding allowed Denver to gain a late fourth quarter lead.  Chauncey Billups was able to hit a big three pointer that put Denver up five and forced a Golden state timeout.  Monta Ellis tied the game up at 105 with a three pointer.  Carmelo couldn’t convert on the offensive end and the Warriors were able to call a timeout with 2 seconds remaining.  Golden State couldn’t get off a clean shot coming out of the timeout and the game headed to overtime.

In overtime, Mr. Big Shot took over as he hit eight straight points including two consecutive three pointers.   Golden State regained the lead, but a J.R. Smith three pointer gave Denver a two point lead with 30 seconds left.  Monta Ellis was able to get to the line, but only converted one of two.  Golden State had to foul and the Nuggets converted their free throws and Denver won the game 123- 118.

Chauncey Billups tied a career high of 37 points for Denver.  Carmelo Anthony had 23 and Nene had 19.  George Karl made it to second place on the list of all time winning Nuggets coaches with his 252^nd win.