The Golden State Warriors only have two playoff appearance since the 1993-1994 season and made the most out of it. The 2006-2007 squad took out the no.1 seeded Dallas Mavericks and this postseason took out the no.6 seed the Denver Nuggets.
At the start the it wasn’t pretty with the Nuggets playing with a sense of urgency and took advantage on the offensive glass and started the game out with a 12-5 lead. Eventually that lead got built to 11. Ty Lawson played extremely well and was the only player on either side to get to double digits by halftime. Yet, even with their outstanding play and at times out hustling the Warriors, it didn’t matter the lead was only two at the break.
Andrew Bogut kept Golden State within reach after a poor performance in game five as he scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds. In the third Stephen Curry got himself going after a 1-6 start, scoring 14 points and three assists. Also, attacked the rim better and very quickly got the Nuggets into the penalty and more importantly Kenneth Faried picked his fourth foul.
With over nine minutes left the Warriors had an 18 point lead, yet facing elimination the Nuggets tightened up defensively, Andre Iguodala hit a big three to cut the lead to four. It was rookie Draymond Green who took it upon himself to answer by driving to the hoop, drew a questionable charge on JeVale McGee made bother free throws and made a beautiful tip-in.
Eventually Curry made a scoop shot to a more comfortable nine point game, when Iguodala buried a clutch three-pointer. Turnovers began to become a problem and Green came up with a big rejection after a steal by Lawson got a chance to get the Nuggets within two. Harrison Barnes came away with the rebound of the block and calmly hit both free throws after being fouled.
After a three and free throws splits, the Warriors were unable to inbound the ball and turned the ball over once again. Denver blew chances to tie the game up and knocked the ball out-of-bounds. Another opportunity to get the ball in nearly resulted in disaster, fortunately Wilson Chandler touched the ball when he didn’t establishposition in-bounds.
This time Jarrett Jack got free from the defense and received the pass before getting fouled and making two free throws to seal the series win.
For the Nuggets Iguodala led the way with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Lawson added 17 points and six assists, Faried totaled 11 points and 10 rebounds and Chandler contributed 11. Leading the way for the Warriors, Curry with 22 points and eight assists, Green added 16 points and 10 rebounds and Bogut 14 points, 21 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Notes: David Lee who surprisingly got cleared to play saw just over a minute of action, missed his only shot and recorded one rebound.
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