The Golden State Warriors have been challenged at the top of the Western Conference standings by the Denver Nuggets, but the two-time defending NBA Champions made a major statement in historic fashion at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night. The Warriors recorded the highest-scoring first quarter in NBA history en route to a 142-111 blowout of the Nuggets on the road. Golden State put up 51 points in the opening 12 minutes, led by Kevin Durant scoring 17 points in that span on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson led the way with 31 points apiece on the night, as the Warriors took a half-game lead on the Nuggets for the top spot in the West.
The win for the Warriors was their fifth in a row, while also putting an end to the Nuggets' 12-game home winning streak. Denver never led on their home floor, as the Warriors broke the previous scoring record of 50 points for the first quarter, which has been done by several teams. It was last done by the Phoenix Suns against the Nuggets on November 10th, 1990.
The hot start helped the Warriors shoot 60 percent from the floor, as they hit 21 three-pointers, and recorded 38 assists in the win. They hit 10 of those three-pointers in the first quarter, all to roll to their 30th win of the season. Durant finished with 27 points, while Draymond Green had 13 assists, despite being held to four points on the night.
Malik Beasley led the Nuggets with 22 points, as their star big man, Nikola Jokic, dealt with foul trouble and finished with 17 points and eight assists over 23 minutes. The Nuggets got the best of the Warriors on October 21st, 100-98, also in Denver, but they could not get an advantage despite shooting 49 percent from the floor and scoring 60 points in the first half. Their loss was their first at the Pepsi Center since falling to the Houston Rockets on November 13th.
The Nuggets will stay home on Thursday night to host the Chicago Bulls, while the Warriors return home on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The win for the Warriors was their fifth in a row, while also putting an end to the Nuggets' 12-game home winning streak. Denver never led on their home floor, as the Warriors broke the previous scoring record of 50 points for the first quarter, which has been done by several teams. It was last done by the Phoenix Suns against the Nuggets on November 10th, 1990.
The hot start helped the Warriors shoot 60 percent from the floor, as they hit 21 three-pointers, and recorded 38 assists in the win. They hit 10 of those three-pointers in the first quarter, all to roll to their 30th win of the season. Durant finished with 27 points, while Draymond Green had 13 assists, despite being held to four points on the night.
Malik Beasley led the Nuggets with 22 points, as their star big man, Nikola Jokic, dealt with foul trouble and finished with 17 points and eight assists over 23 minutes. The Nuggets got the best of the Warriors on October 21st, 100-98, also in Denver, but they could not get an advantage despite shooting 49 percent from the floor and scoring 60 points in the first half. Their loss was their first at the Pepsi Center since falling to the Houston Rockets on November 13th.
The Nuggets will stay home on Thursday night to host the Chicago Bulls, while the Warriors return home on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
