Stephen Curry scores 30 points in the first start of the playoffs after the Golden State Warriors replace the Denver Nuggets in 5 games

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry dribbled past nearly the entire Denver Nuggets team before creating a perfect gap with 30 seconds remaining to draw out the Golden State Warriors. Descending, he faced the audience and put his hands under one side of his head to signal to the nuggets that it was time for them to sleep.

That strike was the dagger that sank the Nuggets and propelled the Warriors to a 102-98 victory that broke Golden State's ticket to Wednesday night's Western Conference semifinals and won the series 4-1.

The Warriors meet the Minnesota Timberwolves-Memphis Grizzlies series winners in the second round, with Game 1 taking place on Sunday.

But during the first 30 minutes of Game 5 against the Nuggets, the Warriors looked lifeless. Chase Center was almost dead, the uncertain and nervous energy in the air was palpable.

"You could say we pressed a little bit," said Curry.

“For me, Draymond [Green], Clay [Thompson], [Keven Looney], we've all been there and we know the feeling and we love the competition and the environment. It's also a reminder - tonight is just a weird feeling because we haven't been there in a long time. Once again we really want it. Somehow we made it harder for ourselves."