Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) reacts after hitting a basket and drawing a foul against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Thu Apr 21, 2022 (AP News photo)
Warriors Take A 3-0 Series Lead in Denver win game 3 118-113
By Barbara Mason
Last Saturday and Monday night the Golden State Warriors took care of the Denver Nuggets and now find themselves leading in the series 2-0. Thursday night the Warriors got a taste of playoff basketball at Ball Arena. The Nuggets had their fan base behind them in this game which always gives the home team a definite edge.
The Warriors needed to expect something very different from games one and two if they hope to take a commanding lead in this series. Golden State had to adapt to whatever it was that the Nuggets come out with in game 3. The Warriors needed to dictate the pace and as always protect the ball. They pulled it off with a five point win to take game 3, 118-113.
The first two games of this series saw a very competitive first quarter. The Nuggets led in both of those first quarters by a single digit. The Warriors turned both games around in the second half winning by double digits.
They needed a better start in game three and things were a whole lot easier for the Warriors and Golden State defended better. The team had the same lineup as the first two games with Stephen Curry on the bench to start the game.
Game 3 recap: The Warriors wanted to have a better start and in the first five minutes of the first quarter they had a great start, a start that was lacking in the first two games.
They had a 15-8 lead and so far so good. For the moment they were not facing battling from behind. In basketball momentum can change on a dime and this was the case in the first quarter of the game.
The Nuggets led by Nikola Jokic tied up the game at 22 with 4:29 left in the opening quarter. Both teams were shooting 60%. The Warriors led at the end of one 34-32. Jokic had already shot for 12 points and both teams were playing at a very high level.
The back court and the guards for Golden State were getting the job done in the second quarter. Both teams continued to shoot lights out. Four minutes into the second quarter the Warriors were shooting at 63% and Denver at 61%.
The Warriors have been very good on the road as if they enjoy going into hostile territory. It seems to bring out the best in them. The Warriors were 11 of 19 from beyond the arc with 4:24 left in the first half and had their largest lead in this game 60-49.
In the closing minutes of the second quarter, the Warriors had some untimely turnovers but despite that they led at the half 69-59. The Nuggets made a run in the final minutes of the half but the Warriors pushed back. At halftime Golden State was shooting at 68%.
The Warriors had bottled up Aaron Gordon big time allowing only five points in the half. They also did a good job on Jokic allowing only six points in the second quarter.
The Warriors would need to keep him out of the paint in the second half. Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Curry and Gary Payton II all finished the first half of basketball in double digits. The team was 12 of 21 on three’s threw two quarters.
It was all Denver in the third quarter outscoring the Warriors 30-18. The Nuggets led after three quarters 89-87. This was the best game that Denver had played in this series by far. It was a crazy final quarter of basketball.
The Nuggets were playing for their playoff lives. The final four minutes was a free throw fest. Both teams had lost their rhythm and were spending most of their time shooting free throws. With 3:20 remaining the Nuggets took a 111-109 lead. There had been eleven ties in the game and this one was going down to the wire.
With 40.8 left on the clock the Warriors were holding onto a 116-111 lead. After a miserable third quarter Golden State came roaring back in the fourth. Curry would finish off Denver with a single free throw. The final was 118-113 and the Warriors had taken a 3-0 series lead.
Poole and Curry both finished with 27 points apiece and Thompson had 26 points in an amazing effort. Curry’s minute restriction appears to have been lifted. He played 31 minutes in this game. The heartbeat of the team Draymond Green had 10 rebounds.
“I don’t think we played very well,” said Green after the game. “We’ve got to get out of here with a win,” was what he told the team. That was the word from Green and the team responded. The Warriors had survived an ugly third quarter to take this game home in the fourth.
The fourth game of this series will be played on Sunday in Denver. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30.
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