Denver Nuggets Hand Golden State Their Third Loss Of The Season

It’s not often that Stephen Curry gets outdone by anyone, but that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night. Danilo Gallinari bested Curry at the defensive end and the Denver Nuggets handed the Golden State Warriors their third loss 112-110.

Curry, who finished with 38 points, scored 20 in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t deliver the game winner. In the contest’s final seconds, the Warriors’ star lost the ball under defensive pressure from Gallinari.

“It was a great opportunity to try to tie the game or take the lead,” Curry said. “Got stuck between looking for the open man and handling the ball, and one little mishandle and Gallinari got it.”

“I think he lost the ball and it came towards me and I just dove to the ball,” the Italian forward explained.

At the other end of the floor, Gallinari also held his own, delivering 28 points. Will Barton also added 21 for Denver.

After the game, Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone couldn’t help but praise Gallinari. “Gallo has proven this year he can guard most players on the floor,” Malone said. “And he did a great job. He got into a stance, forced a deflection, was first to the floor and comes out with the loose ball. Those are winning plays. Those are what separate teams, and we had enough winning plays tonight where we were able to withstand the furious comeback that they made.”

The Nuggets last lost on Dec. 30, seven games ago, against the Dallas Mavericks.

PHOTO: Warriors guard Stephen Curry during Game One of the 2015 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 4, 2015 in Oakland, California

Article by Joe Kozlowski