Warriors Accuse Nuggets of Playing Dirty - Targeted Stephen Curry In Game 5?

The Denver Nuggets live to see another day as they escape being eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Bagging Game 5 of their quarterfinals match against the Golden State Warriors, 107-100, the series now sits at 3-2, with the Warriors up by one game.

In the game played at the Pepsi Center in Denver last Tuesday, it was apparent that both teams were getting a little too heated. The two teams showed a lot of heart as they battled on court--one trying to cap the series and one viciously holding on. However, according to the Warriors, Denver poured their hearts out on the court and then some.

While the Nuggets showed a commanding game--leading by as much as 22 points in the third--Warriors coach Mark Jackson is saying there were a few dirty tricks played against his team that may have cost them the game.

"There were some dirty plays early," said Jackson after their Tuesday night loss as reported by ESPN. "It's playoff basketball. It's all right. Make no mistake, we were up 3-1 playing hard, clean physical basketball, not trying to hurt anybody."

According to the coach, a number of dirty plays were setup against Golden State's prized guard, Stephen Curry. "They tried to send hit men at Steph," noted the coach.

Curry, who had an astounding Game 4 performance with 31 points--22 in the third, was offline from beyond the arc on Tuesday. Aside from scoring his lowest this series at 15 points, he only made 1 of his 7 three point attempts. Jackson said there were a few plays that were clearly dirty tricks against the superstar.

"[There was] a shot at his ankle, clearly. That can't be debated," said the coach pertaining to Steph's problematic ankle, including a current sprained left ankle. Jackson also seemed to be directing his frustration on the missed calls toward Nuggets forward, Kenneth Faried.

"[He had] great screens and some great illegal ones, too."

Agreeing to Jackson, Curry also felt like the questionable defense of Denver was geared towards him. He also noted a couple of elbows were thrown at him "out of nowhere"

"There were a couple, man. Going through the paint minding my own business and they come out of nowhere trying to throw elbows," Curry shared after the game. "I got a [target] on me, I don't know what it is, just got to keep playing and do your thing."

As for Kenneth Faried, he just dismissed the accusations, noting that basketball is a physical sport. He even noted a few incidents wherein the Warriors seemed to be on his tail as well.

"It's basketball. I try to do the little things my team needs me to do. It's physical. If you can't stand the physicality, you shouldn't be playing," the Denver forward said. "I think they were purposefully trying to hurt me every play I went for a rebound-the hits, the grab to the throat."

If anything good should come up from all these talks, accusations and debates, it would be that Game 6 will be an intense, nail-biting match. Expect the court to fire up on Thursday, May 2, at the Oracle Arena in California.