The Nuggets used a perfect day at the foul line from Nikola Jokic, key shots from Jamal Murray in the fourth quarter and some defensive stops by Michael Porter Jr. to gift-wrap a 120-114 victory over Golden State on Christmas Day.
The Nuggets won their fifth straight and halted the Warriors’ five-game winning streak in the process.
Jokic was a perfect 18 of 18 from the foul line, setting a new career-high for free throws made. He finished with 26 points. Murray led all scorers with 28 points, including a couple of big baskets late.
Denver entered the final quarter clinging to a 92-89 lead, in large part because it was getting to the foul line. Jokic had 16 points through the first three quarters but was just 1 for 7 from the floor. He was, however, 14 of 14 from the foul line.
Denver already beat Golden State earlier this season, winning 108-105 in early November. Curry was held to 6-of-17 shooting in that game, thanks to some tenacious defense from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Jokic came up big in that game, scoring 35 points on 14-of-25 shooting, with 13 rebounds and five assists.
The Nuggets held a 29-26 lead after a first quarter in which the two stars of the show were nearly absent from the box score. Jokic scored two points and took just two shots. Curry, guarded by both Porter and KCP, took only two shots and was held scoreless.
Curry scored just four points in the first half, shooting 1 for 5, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc, but the Warriors held a 54-53 lead. Curry finished with 18 points but shot just 7-for-21 from the floor.
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