Apr 30, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Wilson Chandler (21) and small forward Kenneth Faried (35) double team Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) in the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not the situation most expected, but the Nuggets will again fight for their very lives Thursday night in Golden State’s backyard. Denver was handled rather easily in Oakland in Game 3 and Game 4.

Ty Lawson’s 35 point, 10 rebound performance in Game 3 but wasn’t enough to get past four Warriors scoring 19+ points. Stephen Curry’s 31 points in Game 4 sunk Denver and it looked like the series was over. But the Nuggets refused to go out on those terms. They stole back momentum from the Warriors in Game 5 behind gutsy performances from everyone who touched the floor.

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The Nuggets–who played much more physical in Game 5– were accused by Mark Jackson of taking cheap shots at Stephen Curry. A lot of debate has been broadcasted on ESPN and argued around the Internet of whether Denver played dirty in Game 5. Mike Prada, of SBNation, presented a very well documented video review of the game, pointing out at the end that the Warriors’ Andrew Bogut had been playing dirty the whole series.

Honestly: who cares?

It’s playoff basketball. Players are going to toughen up with more stakes on the line. Dirk Nowitzki has been bullied in the playoffs his entire career. It’s the reason the Miami Heat won the championship in 2006. But he toughened up, fought back and became the icon who exacted revenge on the Heat in the 2011 finals. The only thing this back-and-forth exchange of Nuggets and Warriors does, is heighten the excitement and intensity for Thursday night’s game.

Denver better be prepared from the start in (R)Oracle Arena, because once the crowd gets in the game, they’ll be in it for the entire game. Especially with the controversy that Mark Jackson stirred up in Game 5′s post-game conference. The crowd at Oracle will be even louder than they were in Games 3 and 4.

Quick thoughts:

• If Steph Curry is in the game, Miller shouldn’t be. Miller can’t stay with him at all. Curry’s eyes light up when he says Old Man Dre opposite him.
• The Curry-Iggy-Chandler-Faried-McGee starting five played well. Look for George Karl to stick with this lineup until McGee goaltends a shot into the Pacific Ocean.
• Iggy’s confidence should be at an all-time high with how he played in Game 5. He should take the assignment of guarding Curry for most of the game.
• Watch the battles in the paint. Especially after all of the “cheap-shot” talk leading up to this game. It’ll be interesting to see how everyone responds.

JaVale McGee’s post-game gem:

“If we are playing dirty then they are playing unsanitary.”

The basics:

• Where? Oracle Arena – Oakland, California
• When? 10:30 ET – TNT

Series stats:
Denver Nuggets

Fan predictions:

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Apr 30, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson reacts in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets news:

• The Nuggets forced Game 5 with a 107-100 victory in Denver last night///Nugg Love

George Karl decided to go big with his starting lineup against Mark Jackson’s small-ball team that gave Nuggets trouble in the first four games. Karl trotted out a starting five of Lawson-Iguodala-Chandler-Faried-McGee. McGee, who started his first game of the season Tuesday night, did not disappoint. He was active early and looked focused: blocking shots, rebounding and finishing around the rim.

• Nuggets accused of sending “hit men” on Warriors’ Curry///Denver Post
• Warriors must flop to stop cheat shots///Warriors World
• This Thursday: Stiffs Night Out///Denver Stiffs
• Rapid Reaction: Denver Nuggets 107, Golden State Warriors 100///RoundBallMiningCompany
• VIDEO: Mark Jackson feels Nuggets played dirty/// YouTube
• Film Review: Were the Nuggets dirty?///SBNation

News around the league:

• Bucks say Jim Boylan out///ESPN
• Paul Pierce: Future in Celtics’ hand///ESPN
• Report: Bobcats to interview Kelvin Sampson, Tibbetts for head coach///CBSsports

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