Warriors flip the game in the fourth to beat Nuggets, 128-117

The game, quarter by quarter

The Warriors struck first, taking the opening quarter 39-27 and a 12-point lead after one. The Nuggets cut into the deficit with a 40-37 second quarter, though the Warriors still led by 9 at halftime.

The Nuggets won the third 34-19 to turn the game around, taking a 6-point lead into the fourth. The Warriors took the fourth 33-16; the Warriors completed the comeback for a 128-117 regulation win.

What decided it

The Warriors got more from their shots, finishing at 62.2% effective field-goal shooting compared with 50.5% for the Nuggets. The Warriors took better care of the ball, turning it over on 14.2% of possessions compared with 15.9% for the Nuggets. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.

The Nuggets did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 27.5 against 11.7. The Warriors made up for it elsewhere.

At roughly 106 possessions per team, the Warriors produced 120.7 points per 100 possessions to 110.4 for the Nuggets.

The Warriors' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 37-22.

Who made the difference

Nikola Jokic was the game's biggest individual force for DEN: 35 pts, 20 reb, 12 ast, 3 stl on 11-21 shooting. His Game Score of 40.1 led everyone. His team was -6 with him on the floor.

Al Horford led the Warriors with 22 pts, 1 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl on 8-11 shooting, good for a 25.1 Game Score.

Brandin Podziemski (18 pts, 15 reb, 9 ast) and Nikola Jokic (35 pts, 20 reb, 12 ast) each recorded a double-double.

What it means

The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 54% for the Warriors.

Across the last 5 meetings in our records, Denver Nuggets lead 3-2.

The Warriors are now 30-27, and the Nuggets are 36-22. The Warriors last five before this game: W-L-W-L-L.