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Warriors and Nuggets open home-and-home set in Oakland

Apr 7, 2012 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - Fresh off a huge win, the Denver Nuggets will try to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot when they open up a home-and-home set with the struggling Golden State Warriors in Oakland.

Arron Afflalo scored 30 points on Friday, including a key three down the stretch, as the Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns for the fifth straight time, 105-99.

Andre Miller hit the go-ahead free throws with 1:23 remaining, but it was Afflalo's three-pointer from the right corner on the next trip down the court that put the lid on Denver's winning return to the Pepsi Center.

Al Harrington had 23 points and Miller scored 15, both off the bench, as the Nuggets returned from a 3-4 road trip with their first home game since March 21.

The Suns committed 16 turnovers, while the Nuggets had just five.

"That's the key to the game right there," said Afflalo. "We've got a lot of playmakers, and mistakes are a part of basketball, but if you can limit them especially to a number like that, it'll put you in a good position."

The Suns started the day just one game behind the Nuggets for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference, but had a three-game win streak stopped to remain on the outside looking in. Denver, meanwhile, now leads Utah by a 1 1/2 for the final slot but is also just 1 1/2 games behind No. 5 Memphis in the jumbled West.

The Warriors, meanwhile, lost for the seventh time in eight games on Friday, falling in Salt Lake City to the Jazz, 104-98.

David Lee ended with 26 points and 12 boards in that one for Golden State, which failed to build off Wednesday's win over Minnesota. Rookie Klay Thompson tallied 23 points and five rebounds.

"Well I think they had two weapons the entire night," Lee said. "Al [Jefferson] played a great game inside and the big thing that killed us, it seems like every time it got close Devin Harris, who is a streaky three-point shooter but can get it get going, definitely got it going in the second half and made a bunch of big shots."

Denver has won eight of its past 10 meetings with the Warriors but both Golden State wins over that span have come in the last three matchups, including a 109-101 win in the Rockies back on Feb. 9.

These two teams will meet again in Denver on Monday.