Denver’s overtime comeback extends Warriors losing streak, 134-131

The Warriors couldn’t hold on to a 19-point lead against the Denver Nuggets, losing their tenth straight game. Golden State is still winless since the start of 2020.

For the first 46 minutes of the Warriors home contest against the Denver Nuggets, the game felt like it was leaning towards a Golden State upset. However, a strong final quarter from Nuggets erased the Warriors 19-point lead, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, the Warriors were overwhelmed by the Western Conference playoff hopeful. Malik Beasley, Michael Porter Jr and Nikola Jokic all added 10 points in the fourth quarter, enough to take the struggling Warriors into deep water.

Denver handled business in overtime, sealing the comeback win in San Francisco, 134-131. The loss marks the Warriors tenth straight loss and the team is still winless since the start of the 2020 new year.

Seven different members of Golden State scored in double digits, with Damion Lee and Alec Burks leading the way with 21 and 25 points, respectively. Golden State’s collective scoring effort wasn’t enough to slow down the Nuggets duo of Beasley, 28 points and Will Barton, 31 points.

Golden State will have an opportunity to end the losing streak when the Orlando Magic travel to Chase Center.

Starting fast

A primary source of the Golden State Warriors’ struggles throughout the 2019-20 season has been their sluggish first quarters. Golden State has come out of the gate slow in many contests this season, but against Denver, it was the opposite.

Damion Lee, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Poole combined for 21 points to outscore the entire Nuggets roster alone in the opening quarter. The team shot 50 % from the field and added seven 3-pointers to blitz Denver off the jump The Warriors roared to a 34-19 lead in the first period to set the tone for the remainder of the bout.

Finishing slow

As fast as the Warriors started the game, the Nuggets turned things on when it mattered at the end. Denver dropped 40 points in the final period to cut Golden State’s 12 point fourth-quarter lead.

In the fourth quarter, Russell couldn’t find the ice in his veins, only scoring four points and turning the ball over once ina critical situation.

The Warriors shot a miserable 30 % from the field, while Denver punished Golden State while they were down, shooting 68.2 %. Rookie, Eric Paschall knocked down a late three-pointer to give Golden State the lead, but it wasn’t enough to close out Denver. The Warriors’ sloppy final period opened the door for the Nuggets to stretch the game into overtime.

Jordan Poole figuring it out

A highlight in a disappointing night was rookie Jordan Poole putting together another solid game. Poole registered his third straight double-digit scoring night, dropping 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Poole was a significant factor in the Warriors’ fast start, adding two makes from beyond the arc in the first quarter off the bench.