Warriors at Nuggets
THE STORY:
The Denver Nuggets are looking for retribution when they play the
Golden State Warriors on Monday for the second time in three nights. The
Nuggets suffered a humbling 112-97 loss to the Warriors in Oakland on
Saturday in an ill-timed stumble considering the tight playoff race in
the Western Conference. Denver will strive for a better effort at home
against Golden State, which won for only the second time in nine games.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (Golden State), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (22-33):
Golden State received a surprise boost from swingman Brandon Rush in
Saturday’s victory. Rush scored 20 points off the bench for his third
20-point outing of the season. He was one of seven players in double
figures as the Warriors clinched the season series against Denver for
the first time since the 2002-03 campaign. “It’s very satisfying knowing
that a team came in with something to play for, with payback on their
mind, and we found a way to put together 48 minutes of basketball,”
Golden State coach Mark Jackson said.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (30-26):
Point guard Ty Lawson scored 21 points Saturday and then let loose on
his teammates after the disappointing loss. “It’s been like this for a
month,” Lawson said. “We’ll beat Chicago, then lose to Toronto. Beat
Orlando, and then we lose to New Orleans. We just need to have more
focus. It’s getting ridiculous at this point. We’re losing to teams we
shouldn’t lose to, especially with the magnitude of what’s going on in
the season with the playoff run. We can’t be losing these games.” Denver
expects to get forward Danilo Gallinari back from a thumb injury for
the rematch.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Golden State is 2-0 against the Nuggets this season, including a victory that ended a six-game losing skid in Denver.
2. Warriors forward David Lee had 17 points Saturday to end a streak of seven consecutive 20-point outings.
3. Denver forward Wilson Chandler (groin) has missed four consecutive contests.