• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Nuggets use balanced attack to down Warriors

Apr 12, 2011 - 5:41 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Nine of the 10 Nuggets players who saw action against the Golden State Warriors on Monday reached double digits, as Denver, led by J.R. Smith's 22 points, took a 134-111 decision at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets have incorporated a well-balanced offensive style since trading superstar Carmelo Anthony, and the successful switch in philosophy was never more evident than in their 18th win in 24 games since the deal.

Kosta Koufos netted 18 points to go with nine rebounds, Gary Forbes and Raymond Felton each chipped in 15, and Chris Andersen, Ty Lawson and Kenyon Martin all added 14 for Denver, which recorded its fourth straight 50-win season and clinched the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

Stephen Curry and Dorell Wright each scored 27 points for the Warriors, who have lost two straight.

The seesaw battle went Denver's way late in the third quarter, thanks in part to its three-point shooting.

Smith drained two during a 12-2 run that yielded an 85-78 lead, while Felton and Lawson each hit from long range in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the frame.

Denver led 98-91 at the end of the quarter and scored the first seven points of the fourth, capped by Felton's three-point play.

The hosts led by at least 11 points from there.

"They are well-balanced and one of the most talented teams in the league from top to bottom on the roster. It is tough to prepare for them because anyone can go off on any night," Curry said.

The Warriors, playing without leading scorer Monta Ellis (concussion), hit a scorching 14-of-20 shots in the first quarter, but still only led by one, 32-31, at the end of the frame.

A back-and-forth second stanza ended with Arron Afflalo's finger roll, tying the game at 54-all heading to the intermission.

Game Notes

Afflalo, who missed nine of the previous 10 games with a hamstring injury, scored 10 points in a little under 17 minutes for the Nuggets, who 12 points from Nene...Andersen, who returned after spraining his ankle on April 1, also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds...Melvin Ely was the only Nuggets player who failed to score...Denver played without Wilson Chandler (left ankle), Danilo Gallinari (right ankle) and Al Harrington (rest)...The Warriors, who went 10-31 on the road this season, will host Portland on Wednesday...The Nuggets will close out the regular season Wednesday at Utah...The Warriors are winless in their last six visits to the Rocky Mountains...Denver went 33-8 at Pepsi Center this season, good for the second best home record in the conference.