Sports Betting Articles
The Nuggets Take the Lead to the Playoffs
By: Cindy Ferguson
Allen Iverson was as incredible as always in leading his team to the front of the final playoff spot of the Western Conference and hit a 3 pointer that ended the Golden State’s last chance to get ahead on Thursday night’s game when the Denver Nuggets beat the Warriors 114-105.
The Nuggets win was crucial and Iverson scored a total of 33 points and J.R. Smith added an extra 24 to that off the bench and the Nuggets were able to bounce back from their 16 point shortfall in the first quarter. Anthony also had 25 points including a 3-pointer which took the game to 104-90 when 7:52 left to go.
Denver is currently 48-31 and this game pushed them a whole game ahead of the Warriors in the race for the eight spot with only three games remaining. The Nuggets are also in control of the tie breaker, which means they are able to achieve their fifth consecutive playoff berth by winning two of their final three games.
Last weekend the Nuggets had one loss after the other against Sacramento and Seattle and took this game as their last chance and was a situation of winning or go home. All of the team’s players had that same idea in their mind and all had the right attitude towards achieving their goal.
This game was also very important for their opponent who is at the present time 47-32 and will most likely need to win their last three games and Denver would have to lose twice to be kept away from the oddness of being the team with most wins ever to miss the NBA playoffs.
Don Nelson, Warriors’ coach, acknowledged their tough position at this point and knows they have a big problem. Right now the looks of them making the playoffs seem very distant and will need luck and a lot more for them to make it. The Warriors had two opportunities of taking the lead before Iverson crushed those opportunities with his three pointer that took the game 112-101 with just 2:06.
Some team players who scored well were Davis who had a triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, Jackson scored 18 points on 5-for-17 shooting and Monta Ellis led the way with 29 points and Al Harrington added 20.
The Warriors have lost three of their last sixteen games in a dreary finish to what has been their most excellent season in fourteen years. They dedicated an unexpectedly high 18 turnovers, missed nine of 24 free throws and got unfortunate shooting nights from Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis.
The Golden State Warriors next game is on Monday April 14th at 7:00pm in Arizona against the Phoenix Suns and what could be their last game is scheduled for Wednesday 16th at home against the Seattle Supersonics at 7:30pm.
The Denver Nuggets next chance at coming closer to the playoffs is programmed for Sunday April 13th at home against the Houston Rockets and their following game will be on Wednesday April 16th in Memphis against the Grizzlies at 7:00pm.
About the Author
Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking sports writer for NBA Basketball Betting in the sports betting industry.
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