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Thursday’s game between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors had the makings of a classic matchup; if anything else, this contest had some major playoff implications – you win and you’re probably in; lose and you get a lottery pick.? Be that as it may, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony combined for 58 points, leading the Nuggets to a huge win over the Warriors, 114-105 at Oracle Arena.? The win moved the Nuggets a game ahead of the Warriors in the quest for the 8th and final Western Conference playoff spot available.

Golden State took an early 37-22 lead after one period, a lead that was quickly erased when Denver’s Iverson and J.R. Smith started hitting their shots; as a result, the Warriors would struggle early in the second quarter as Denver scored 19 straight points – 9 from Iverson and 8 from Smith – to take a 43-38 lead.? The Nuggets went into halftime leading the Warriors 61-60, courtesy of a jumper by Iverson.? Denver took a 99-86 lead on 2 free throws by Smith, which capped a?7-0 run; Anthony’s 3-pointer made it 104-90 with 7:52 to go in the game.? The Denver lead would grow to 17 before Golden State made one last charge as they would score 9 straight points to reduce the Nuggets’ lead to 107-99 on a trey by Kelenna Azubuike with just over 4 minutes remaining.

The Warriors had 2 chances to cut into the Nuggets’ lead further, but Iverson would make a jumper to put the Denver advantage back up to 10; Iverson also added a 3-pointer to make it 112-101 with 2:06 left to go, which pretty much iced the game.? Denver’s leading scorer was Iverson with 33 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals while Anthony scored 25 with 9 rebounds, an assist, 5 steals, 2 blocks but 6 turnovers; Smith added 24, including 4 three-pointers, 3 rebounds and an assist.

Golden State was led by Monta Ellis with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals but 6 turnovers while Baron Davis and Al Harrington scored 20 each – with Davis recording a triple-double, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out 11 assists, with a steal and a block while Harrington grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out 2 assists; Stephen Jackson added 18 with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.? Denver (48-31) looks to cement the hold on the #8 spot in the Western Conference playoff chase as they fly to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz Saturday while Golden State (47-32 remains at home to host the Los Angeles Clippers – also on Saturday.