Los Angeles: The reigning champion Golden State Warriors amassed an NBA record 51 first-quarter points on Tuesday on the way to a 142-111 win over Denver in a duel for the Western Conference lead.
The Warriors moved half a game ahead of the Nuggets atop the West, seizing control with a blistering opening period that included 10 three-pointers — a franchise record for a first quarter. They broke the previous league record for first-quarter points of 50, most recently achieved by the Phoenix Suns against Denver on November 10, 1990.
“That was a fireworks show,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, calling the first quarter display “beautiful, beautiful basketball.”
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson finished the night with 31 points apiece, Kevin Durant added 27. Draymond Green scored just four points but delivered 13 of the Warriors’ 38 assists.
“I liked the way our guys moved the ball,” Kerr said. “A lot of shot fakes, playing with purpose, playing with a simple style of execution but aggressive at the same time.
“Finding that balance is always what we’re looking for and that was as good as it gets.”
Michael Beasley scored 22 points to lead five Nuggets players in double figures, but Denver simply couldn’t keep pace and the Warriors improved to 30-14 — half a game ahead of the 29-14 Nuggets.
— AFP
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