December 2nd, 2009 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Nothing helps a slumping NBA team’s chances more than getting to face the short-handed Golden State Warriors. The Denver Nuggets would find that out Tuesday as they hosted the Warriors at Pepsi Center; suffice it to say, they would score a season-high 69 points in the first half as Denver demolished Golden State 135-107.
The first quarter was relatively close as the Warriors managed to get an 8-point lead with 2:01 left in the period, courtesy of a Monta Ellis 3-point play; Corey Maggette’s layup with one second left put Golden State to within three at 28-25. Denver would gain their first double-digit lead at 52-42 on a pair of Carmelo Anthony free throws with 5:01 left in the half; they would increase their advantage to 22 on a three-pointer by Chauncey Billups with 1:32 remaining in the quarter. A late 10-2 run, capped by a trey made by Stephen Curry would narrow the Warriors’ deficit to 14 at 69-55 going into halftime.
A pair of Billups free throws helped increase the Nuggets’ lead to 22 at the 8:15 mark of the third quarter; they would take a 23-point advantage into the final 12 minutes. The Nuggets would ice the game at the 9:59 mark of the fourth quarter on an Arron Afflalo jumper and would coast the rest of the way.
Seven Nuggets scored in double-digits, led by Anthony with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while Billups added 22 with 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals; Nene Hilario poured in 18 with 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Anthony Morrow led Golden State with 27 points with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal while Vladimir Radmanovic added 17 with 6 rebounds and a steal; Ellis chipped in 15 with a rebound, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocks.
Denver (13-5) plays again when they conclude their home stand, hosting the Miami Heat on Thursday while Golden State (6-11) returns home to host the Houston Rockets – also on Thursday.
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