WARRIORS 112, NUGGETS 97: Brandon Rush scored 20 points and David Lee added 17 to help Golden State beat visiting Denver in the first of consecutive games between the teams.

Klay Thompson scored 15 points and Nate Robinson added 14 as the Warriors won for only the second time in nine games.

Ty Lawson scored 21 points and Al Harrington added 19 for the Nuggets, who dropped to eighth in the Western Conference playoff race and are just one game ahead of the Utah Jazz.

The two teams meet again Monday in Denver.

Golden State shot 52.3 percent from the field and played one of its top all-around games since dealing high-scoring guard Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks at the trading deadline.

The Nuggets rallied from a 17-point deficit to trail just 92-87 with 7 1/2 minutes to play. Lee scored on a layup to start a 15-2 run and Rush hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Warriors an 18-point lead with four minutes remaining.

Rush had four of Golden State’s eight 3-point baskets.

Dorell Wright scored 11 points for the Warriors, who received 10 points apiece from Richard Jefferson and Jeremy Tyler.

Arron Afflalo added 16 points and Andre Miller scored 14 for Denver.

Golden State led 56-49 at halftime before scoring the first seven points of the second half. The Warriors increased the lead to 74-57 midway through the third quarter on a layup by Wright.

Denver responded with an 11-2 run to pull within eight and trailed 85-75 entering the final quarter.

Afflalo scored 13 first-quarter points to give the Nuggets a 27-26 lead. Golden State went ahead 40-37 midway through the second quarter on a three-point play by Dominic McGuire.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rush has scored 20 or more points three times this season. … Harrington has made nine 3-pointers over the last two games. … Tyler scored in double figures for the second straight game. … Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (thumb) has missed 10 straight games but hopes to return Monday.