OAKLAND, Calif.-
Baron Davis scored 22 points, and the Golden State Warriors took advantage of Carmelo Anthony’s absence to beat the Denver Nuggets 110-96 on Wednesday night.
All five starters scored in double figures for the Warriors (28-35), who overcame a 12-point second-quarter deficit and took control of the game with a 14-4 outburst to start the third quarter. The Warriors were 16-of-34 from 3-point range, including four each by Jason Richardson and Stephen Jackson.
Allen Iverson led Denver (29-30) with 35 points, but only surprise starter DerMarr Johnson joined him in double figures with 12. Anthony, the NBA’s leading scorer, remained in Denver after the birth of his first child.
Andris Biedrins had 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Davis had nine assists. Al Harrington scored 21 points, Jackson 18 and Richardson 16 for the Warriors, who have won two straight as they try to stay in the race for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Iverson scored 24 points in the first half, helping the Nuggets open a 48-36 lead with 3:54 remaining in the second quarter. The Warriors used the 3-pointer to get back in the game, making four in a 16-3 run that gave them a 54-53 lead.
Davis made three free throws after being fouled on a desperation 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in the half, giving Golden State a 59-58 lead.
Iverson cooled in the third quarter, missing his first five shots, and the Denver offense disappeared along with his. The Nuggets were just 4-of-23 in the period while the Warriors seized control.
Golden State stretched its lead to 93-73 midway through the fourth quarter. The Nuggets cut it to 98-89 with 3:08 left, but got no closer.
Notes:@ Anthony missed the game to be with his fiancee, MTV’s LaLa Vazquez, who had the couple’s first child earlier Wednesday. Kiyan (pronounced Kai-ann) Anthony arrived weighing 5 lbs., 9 oz. and is 18 1/2 inches long. Warriors coach Don Nelson said the Warriors are “still in the hunt,” despite his statement last week that the team wasn’t going to get to postseason. Nelson said that quote was taken out of context. Johnson didn’t get off the bench against New Orleans on Tuesday night. He finished with 12 points in 30 minutes Wednesday.
