With few motivating reasons to win, the Golden State Warriors showed tenacity on defense and the glass for a win at home over the Denver Nuggets. In a rare occurrence, the two teams have flown to Denver and will now face each other in the Mile High City for a rematch from Saturday night.
Pepsi Center, home of the Denver Nuggets
Wikimedia Commons
Even with a playoff spot on the line, the Nuggets were unable to combat the balanced effort on offense and defense by the Warriors. Currently sitting one game over the Phoenix Suns for the eighth-best record in the Western Conference, the Nuggets will receive a boost in the expected return of Danilo Gallinari.
As for the Warriors, their most recent win over the Nuggets pushes them farther away from retaining their first-round pick for next season. Looking at the closest teams with worse records, the Warriors will need to fall behind the Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, and Toronto Raptors for a better chance at keeping their high first-round pick in a deep 2012 NBA Draft class.
The matchup:
The Golden State Warriors will take on the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center located in Denver, CO on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The standings:
Golden State enters the matchup having won their last game and with a 22-33 record. They are 10-17 on the road and have won three of their last 10 games.
Denver comes into the game having lost their last game and with a 30-26 record. They are 16-12 on their home court and have won five of their last 10 games.
Next three games on tap:
Following this game, the Warriors will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on April 11, host the Dallas Mavericks on April 12, and visit the Los Angeles Clippers on April 14.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 11, visit the Los Angeles Lakers on April 13, and host the Houston Rockets on April 15.
The season series:
The season series currently stands at 2-0 in favor of the Warriors.
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched live nationwide on NBA League Pass.
In Golden State: CSN-BA & KNBR 1050 (radio)
In Denver: ASE & KRWZ (radio)
Season statistic leaders:
Golden State: David Lee - 20.1 points per game, David Lee - 9.6 rebounds per game, Stephen Curry - 5.3 assists per game, Andris Biedrins - 0.9 blocks per game, Stephen Curry - 1.5 steals per game
Denver: Ty Lawson - 15.7 points per game, Kenneth Faried - 7.1 rebounds per game, Ty Lawson - 6.8 assists per game, Chris Andersen - 1.4 blocks per game, Ty Lawson - 1.4 steals per game
Team injuries:
Golden State: Andrew Bogut (fractured left ankle), Stephen Curry (ankle sprain)
Denver: Wilson Chandler (groin), Rudy Fernandez (strained lower back), Danilo Gallinari (broken left thumb)
Source:
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Game Info, NBA
More from this contributor:
Fan's Preview: Will the Golden State Warriors show up on national TV against the Denver Nuggets?
'The Town Game: Two Lives, Two Paths' Featuring Oakland's 'Hook' Mitchell and Leon Powe: Fan's Pre-Release Review
Warriors Continue to Make Trades for Future by Acquiring Richard Jefferson and First-round Draft Pick: Fan's Reaction
Golden State Warriors Trade Monta Ellis in Five-Player Trade for Andrew Bogut: Fan's Reaction
Warriors will start Ekpe Udoh over Andris Biedrins for rest of season: Fan's Take
Austin is a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, lifelong basketball fan and Golden State Warriors supporter, and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow this contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
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