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Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO Stephen CurryI was able to wriggle through the entirety of it. Denver NuggetsBefore putting up the perfect, tear-drop layup to give the Warriors the lead with 30 seconds remaining in the game Wednesday night. He looked down at the audience, and then he clasped his hands underneath one side of his skull to signal to the Nuggets that he was ready to go to sleep.
Curry’s bucket was Curry’s final blow to the Nuggets’ season. The Warriors won 102-98 and Golden State advanced to the Western Conference semis.
The Warriors will be facing the winner of Minnesota/Memphis during the second round. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday.
The Warriors were almost dead for the first 30 minutes against the Nuggets in Game 5. The energy and nervousness was palpable.
At the 6:20 mark in the third quarter Draymond GreenThe Warriors were able to hit a 26-foot 3-pointer to pull within six of the Nuggets. This gave them the initial push they needed to bring life back into their own lives and the building. They really came alive in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors finally found an offensive rhythm that allowed them to slow down the Nuggets at the other end. Nikola JokicHe was in foul trouble after he checked into the quarter. He picked up his fifth personal to help the Warriors.
Curry led all scorers, scoring 27 points on 10-of-22 shooting. He also made five 3-pointers within 38 minutes.
Curry’s postseason debut was Game 5, and Curry was also the first to use the Warriors’ lethal small-ball lineup as the starting unit. The first stint of the unit lasted only three and a quarter minutes. Kevon LooneyFor more information, visit Jordan Poole. The Warriors did not return to that combination due to early fouling.
Klay ThompsonDraymond Green added 15 points, and Draymond Green had 11, six assists, three blocks, and a steal. Gary Payton IIThe bench was given a boost by playing his trademark defense. He scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. This included a wide-open 3 that gave the Warriors an 86-84 advantage as they entered final stretch. The Warriors were up by one minute and a half left.
The Warriors only needed to tie the knot in the first round against the Nuggets.
Thompson said Game 5 was a game that must be won. They didn’t play win-or go-home in the sense that it was win or lose, but they were unable to give this Nuggets squad, which had made two incredible playoff comebacks, any more life.
The Warriors allowed them to stick around longer than they wanted in Game 5 but, ultimately, they reached their goal.