NBA: Golden State Warriors claim semi-final spot

The Golden State Warriors are through to the Western Conference semi-finals but only after a fourth-quarter scare in their 92-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors looked like cruising to the finish after Stephen Curry (22 points) helped them to an 18-point lead with a little over nine minutes left.

But Denver then reeled off 13 unanswered points and turned up the pressure as they cut the gap to 90-88 with a little over 30 seconds left.

But Wilson Chandler twice missed the chance to tie it before Jarrett Jack’s free throws sealed it for Golden State.

The Brooklyn Nets took advantage of a ‘flu bug sweeping the Chicago Bulls‘ camp to take their tie into a decider with a hard-fought 95-92 win.

The Bulls battled all the way but were short-handed with Luol Deng ill and Kirk Hinrich sidelined by an ankle injury.

Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson had 17 points each for Brooklyn, who will host Game Seven on Saturday.