Final Score: Warriors slather Nuggets in BBQ sauce, win 122-105

The Golden State Warriors reminded the Denver Nuggets who runs the West with a resounding 122-105 beatdown in Oracle Arena.

Klay Thompson led all scorers with 39 points in his first game back from a knee injury. Kevin Durant scored 26, and Stephen Curry added 17. DeMarcus Cousins had a strong showing, tallying 13 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 6 blocks. Yes, that’s right folks, “Boogie” was a dominant defensive force against the #2 seed in the West.

The Dubs finished shooting 54% from the field, while limiting Denver to 37%.

First Half

The first quarter was a reminder that the Warriors can flip the energy switch when they feel compelled, as the champs raced out to a 29-11 advantage.

But the Nuggets fought back and kept it a game. The Warriors struggled to find their spacing in the second quarter, missing 10 straight shots and relinquishing the lead to Denver momentarily.

That’s when Thompson came alive for the Dubs.

Denver’s starters were 5-of-20 shooting from the field after two quarters and combined for 15 points. #suffocated

Warriors 67, Nuggets 50

Second Half

The Nuggets pulled to within nine in the third quarter, but then the Warriors cranked the energy back up.

In the fourth quarter Cousins showed one of his best defensive stretches of his comeback, constantly deflecting and swatting away anything in the paint.

The Warriors cruised in the final frame, locking up the win. They limited NBA Twitter darling Nikola Jokic to 16 points and 6 rebounds, and this was without the soon to return Andrew Bogut.

Me likey.