Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points, but Monta Ellis finished with 37 as the Golden State Warriors held off the Denver Nuggets 116-114 on Wednesday in Oakland. We've come to expect high-octane shoot-outs between these teams over the years, and this edition was no exception. The Warriors attempted 92 shots, 28 of which were three-pointers. Both team shot well from distance -- Golden State hit 14 of 28, and Denver sunk 10-24.
Nuggets Vs. Warriors: Carmelo Anthony Outdueled By Monta Ellis In Golden State Victory
The difference, in the end, was the turnover battle. The Warriors are prone to turnovers (No. 21 in the league), but also cause them at a high rate (No. 4). That held true on Wednesday, as the Nuggets had 18 turnovers, uncharacteristic for a team No. 12 in turnover rate this season.
'Melo had four of those turnovers, as did the far less productive Kenyon Martin. J.R. Smith led a comeback charge in the fourth quarter, as the Nuggets trailed by eight midway through the fourth. Smith scored 11 points in the fourth without taking a single three-pointer; that tells you how respected the Golden State interior defense is. Nuggets coach George Karl didn't put 'Melo back in the game until less than five minutes remained; Denver made up four points once he did, but couldn't get close enough to win.
Ellis shot 10-15 in the first half, and 6-15 in the second. As a team the Warriors shot just 6-18 in the fourth as the Nuggets clawed back into the game.
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