Golden State Warriors Set NBA Record In Rout Of Denver Nuggets

The Golden State Warriors knew that a key to winning their Tuesday night road game against the Denver Nuggets was to get out to a fast start. Heading into the game, the Nuggets had the best home record in the Western Conference at 18-3 and the Warriors knew that they’re a tough team to beat on their own court. The team followed that plan perfectly and the Warriors got out to a ‘fast start’ and then some. Golden State scored 51 first quarter points to set a NBA and franchise record en route to a 142-111 rout of Denver.

In addition to the franchise/league record for first quarter scoring output the Warriors set another franchise record by hitting 10 3-point shots during the first twelve minutes. At the end of the first quarter, Golden State led 51-38 and never looked back as they covered the NBA pointspread with ease as a -2.5 road favorite. The team enjoyed balance scoring throughout the game including the first quarter. Kevin Durant scored 17 first quarter points on a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor. Klay Thompson scored 13 during the opening twelve minutes with Stephen Curry adding 12. For the game, Curry and Thompson tied for the top scorer honors with 31 points apiece. Durant finished with 27 points. Overall, the team hit 19 of 25 first quarter shots (76%) including 10 of 14 from three point range.

After the game, Curry said that the record scoring outburst was a byproduct on the team’s emphasis on starting fast:

“We had to get off to a good start against a team that’s playing as well as Denver has in this building. Didn’t expect, obviously, 51 [in the first quarter]. But the purpose about how we created shots and the confidence, everybody taking ’em, it was fun, man.”

The most that Golden State has scored in any quarter was 57 in the third quarter of a 1989 matchup against the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors had struggled on the road earlier in the season but have turned things around and now stand at 13-8 SU/9-12 ATS. Oddly enough, Tuesday nights have been a horror show for Warriors backers during the past three seasons—Golden State is just 8-21 against the spread on Tuesdays during the past three seasons. Denver dropped to 18-4 SU/14-8 ATS at home. As Steph Curry indicated, the Nuggets have been tough not only on their home floor but against the Warriors in general during the past few seasons. Golden State now holds a narrow 5-4 SU advantage overall during the past three seasons but Denver has cashed more tickets for bettors going 5-3 ATS in this stretch. At Denver, the teams have split the last six meetings both straight up and against the spread. 6 of the last 8 and 4 of the last 5 in Denver have gone Over the total.

The victory allowed Golden State to claim sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. Golden State now has a 30-14 record for the year giving them a ½ game lead over Denver in the West. The Nuggets lead the Northwest Division by 3 games over the Oklahoma City Thunder and by 4 games over the Portland Trailblazers. The Warriors are starting to open up some distance between themselves and the rest of the Pacific Division as the expected challenge from LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers has yet to materialize. Golden State holds a 5.5 game lead over the LA Clippers and are 7 games up on both the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings.