Warriors defeat Nuggets 104-101
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-28 15:20

Golden State Warriors' Jason Richardson, left, shoots over Denver Nuggets' Andre Miller (24) in the first half in Oakland, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 27, 2004. [AP]

Mickael Pietrus scored a career-high 24 points off the bench and the Golden State Warriors won three straight for the first time this season, beating the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets 104-101 on Monday night.

Jason Richardson added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who hadn't won three in a row since getting seven straight victories from March 15-28 last season.

Andre Miller had 21 points and a season-high 14 assists but missed two free throws in the final minute for the Nuggets, who extended their season-long losing streak to six games and lost their eighth in nine. Nene added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Marcus Camby had 16 points and 12 boards and received a scare when he landed hard on his wrist on a third-quarter breakaway.

Earl Boykins missed a desperation shot at the buzzer to tie it for Denver, which played without star forward and leading scorer Carmelo Anthony and forward Kenyon Martin because of injuries.

Richardson's two free throws with 6:25 left pulled the Warriors within 87-85 and Pietrus gave Golden State the lead the next time down the floor with a driving layin. Murphy scored at 5:22 and then Richardson had two straight baskets to cap a 15-2 run.

Golden State, which led by as many as 14, beat Sacramento on Sunday to end an 11-game losing streak in Arco Arena.

Cliff Robinson made three 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds for Golden State. Troy Murphy added 16 points and 16 boards, and Derek Fisher had 15 points.

Anthony missed his fifth straight game, but expects to return to the lineup Friday when Denver hosts Philadelphia in its next game. The Nuggets opted to sit him out another day so Anthony will be assured of having two good practices on his ankle before Friday's game.

Martin, the team's second-leading scorer, was sidelined as a precautionary measure because of a mid-back strain on his left side. He was listed as day to day.

Richardson picked up his second offensive foul with 4:51 left in the first quarter, then immediately was hit with a technical for arguing and went to the bench. He didn't return until 5:49 before halftime. Coach Mike Montgomery spoke before the game about playing his stars fewer minutes early so they'd be fresh in the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets opened the game by making 9 of 16 shots, but Golden State's second team sparked the Warriors with a 14-6 spurt to start the second quarter on the way to a 40-32 lead. But Nikoloz Tskitishvili scored seven straight points during a 9-2 Nuggets run to end the half and pull Denver within 53-46 at the break.

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
White Paper: Strong army ensures China unity         Chinese missing as tsunami toll hits 24,000         Russia, China to hold massive joint drill         Watchdog to tighten control on flight safety         Powell, White House hail Ukraine election         BMW to recall 1,685 cars made in China	Rockets send a pair to Hornets for Wesley       Heat-Lakers game sets new ratings mark for ABC       Rooney waits for FA verdict       Trail Blazers sign first NBA first Korean center       Iverson, Nash named Players of Week       Trulli confident of Toyota speed