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View Full Version : Ellis, Morrow lead Warriors past Mavericks 111-103



chrism
11-25-2009, 09:24 PM
DALLAS — Monta Ellis scored a season-high 37 points, Anthony Morrow added a season-best 27 and the short-handed Golden State Warriors ended Dallas' five-game winning streak with a 111-103 victory over the injury-depleted Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Dallas was led by Dirk Nowitzki's 28 points and 10 rebounds and Jason Terry's 21 points, but the Mavericks had no defensive answers for Ellis and Morrow.

Rookie guard Stephen Curry had 18 points and Vladimir Radmanovic added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who used only six players.

Dallas held a 98-89 lead before Golden State answered with a 14-2 run capped by seven straight points from Curry, including a 3-pointer with 2:20 left for a 103-100 lead.

Golden State closed with a 24-7 run and won consecutive games for the first time this season.

The Warriors are without Andris Biedrins (strained groin), Raja Bell (left wrist), Kelenna Azubuike (left knee tendon), C.J. Watson (flu), Ronny Turiaf (sprained left knee) and Corey Maggette (left hamstring).

Warriors coach Don Nelson is also home recovering from pneumonia, with top assistant Keith Smart filling in.

The Mavericks are still minus three starters: forwards Shawn Marion (left ankle sprain) and Josh Howard (left ankle surgery) and center Erick Dampier (illness). Quinton Ross started for Dallas but sat out the second half with a tight lower back.

The Warriors rallied from a seven-point third-quarter deficit, opening the final quarter with five straight points from Ellis for an 83-82 lead.

Dallas answered with a 10-2 spurt started by 3-pointers from J.J. Barea and Tim Thomas for a 92-85 advantage with 9:14 to play.

But the Mavericks couldn't handle Ellis, Morrow and Curry down the stretch as Golden State won on the road for only the second time in eight tries this season.

The Mavericks carried an 82-78 lead into the final quarter.

Dallas held a 54-50 halftime edge behind Nowitzki's 17 points after a 14-6 run over the final 3:52 of the second quarter.

Ellis scored 12 first-quarter points to keep the Warriors close early, with Dallas taking a 27-25 lead into the second quarter.

NOTES: Smart drew a technical late in the third quarter for protesting a non-call. ... There's no timetable for Nelson's return. Smart is in daily communication with Nelson on running the team. ... Morrow had a career-high six 3-pointers. ... Marion was tentatively scheduled to play, but the ankle still bothered him in pregame warmups and he was unable to go for the third straight game. ... Watson is expected to rejoin the Warriors for Wednesday night's game at San Antonio.