SAN FRANCISCO -- For the longest time, the words Golden State Warriors and first-place didn't belong in the same sentence. But they are now.
After a harrowing scare, the Warriors escaped with a 106-105 triumph over the visiting Denver Nuggets Thursday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The nail-biting triumph moved the Warriors to a 9-6 record and a share of the top spot in the Pacific Division alongside the Los Angeles Clippers.
With the Warriors nursing a slim 106-103 advantage in the final 3.4 seconds, Nuggets forward Andre Iguodala had the chance to even the count with three free throws after he was fouled above the 3-point arc. But Iguodala missed the last of three freebies and his made desperation basket following a Golden State turnover didn't beat the final buzzer.
David Lee posted 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Warriors, who came back from an 81-66 deficit in the third quarter. Three other Warriors finished with double figures in points --- Klay Thompson (21), Stephen Curry (20) and Jarrett Jack (18). The Warriors shot 44-of-86 from the field (51.2 percent), 8-of-18 from 3-point range ( 44.4 percent) and 10-of-13 from the free throw line (76.9 percent).
Iguodala led the Nuggets with 22 points while Danilo Galinari finished with 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field. And point guard Ty Lawson was superb with 17 points, nine assists and four rebounds. JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried also combined for 21 points for Denver, which fell to 8-8 after losing two in a row. (Ryan Medida)
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