Steph Curry After Nuggets: “We Control Our Destiny Now”

The most fans, including us, knew that it would be hard for the Nuggets to make a surprise in Oakland against the champions. Still, nobody expected to see the Warriors so dominant in this matchup. Once again.

Led by Boogie Cousins and Kevin Durant who dominated on both ends, the hosts defeated guests from Colorado 116-102, with the note that it was much easier than the result might indicate.

The only period in which Nuggets managed to handle GSW was the opening of the first quarter, but that didn’t last for too long. As the end of that period approached, hosts imposed their tempo, closing it with an 8-0 series, holding the visitors scoreless for the final 3:34 minutes.

After that, everything was much easier in the second sequence, when the home team began pounding from all positions. The result at the halftime was 59-43 for the champs, who stiffed Denver and forced them to make numerous mistakes last night.

Jokic and the boys had 21 turnovers, and according to Mike Malone that is something you can’t allow to yourself when playing against the Warriors, especially at Oracle Arena.

“Turnovers all night, we couldn’t take care of the ball,” Malone said. “You give up 21 points off of turnovers in this building, you’re going to make it really hard to be in the game.”

The third quarter saw Warriors a bit calmer, but they kicked in at the start of the fourth, reaching up to +30 at one moment after Steph Curry drilled a three with 7:22 until the end.

During the on-court interview, a reporter asked the two-time MVP, was this a message to the Nuggets, and a statement that they still can’t compete with his team.

Curry didn’t want to give a direct answer to that and was more diplomatic.

“We handled our business and did what we had to do. Protecting our home court, as we are obviously chasing that number one seed. I guess we control our destiny right now,” Curry who became the No.2 scorer in the history of the Golden State.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyx82Psa4Z4

One of the best shooters of all times scored 17 points against Denver and jumped over Chris Mullin. Curry now has 16.236 points, while Mullin stayed ar 16,235.

DeMarcus Cousins had 28 points and 12 boards and 5 assists. He was 12 of 17 from the field and completely outplayed Nikola Jokic, who scored just 10 points.

This is going to be his first playoff appearance in his 10-year long career, and for Boogie, it is a whole new experience, which makes him excited.

“Feels amazing man,” he told the reporter when asked about that. ” You know, I’ve worked my but of to get to this point.”

Kevin Durant was right behind him with 21 points but had another dispute with the referees. KD was ejected from the game because of arguing with the officials. This comes on the same day when the league fined him, Curry and Draymond Green because of criticizing the officials after the game in Minneapolis, against the Timberwolves.

Durant got a tech after complaining about the alleged foul on him by Paul Millsap. After that, he didn’t calm down, and Zach Zarba instantly gave him another tech and sent him off.

KD is now a tech away from a one-game suspension, as he has 15 of them at the moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlY83M7uOSw

Steve Kerr spoke after the game that Durant deserved the first, but not the second one, adding that Zach Zarba is one of the best refs in the game, and that he has nothing against him.

“I thought he deserved the first technical. I didn’t think he deserved the second one,” Kerr said. “..but I think Zach Zarba is one of the best officials in the game, so I got no complaints with Zach. He knows what he’s doing.”

Warriors (53-24) are now two games ahead than the Nuggets (51-26), and have five more games to play until the end of the regular part of the season. The opponents are not tough at all, and with all due respect towards them, it seems that champs are going to secure the top spot in the West without any troubles.

The now go to LA to play against the Lakers, then come home to face Cavaliers and Clippers, before closing the season on the road against Pelicans and Grizzlies.