Slam Dunk Central

One would think that the Golden State Warriors, after a successful 4-1 road trip, would be tired returning to Oakland. Perhaps they were, but you wouldn’t know it by tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns at a sold-out Oracle Arena. Fifteen points in the fourth quarter by Golden State guard Monta Ellis helped boost the Warriors to a 129-114 victory over the Suns.Golden State showed little fatigue from their road trip, as evidenced by a 45-point first quarter. The Warriors outscored the Suns in every period; at times, the basketball game resembled a track meet, with Golden State scoring almost at will. Golden State led by as many as 18 with 7 minutes remaining in the game, and Ellis ensured that the lead didn’t dip very much as he made his first 5 shots of the 4th quarter. It is important to note that while Golden State shot 51.5% from the floor, Phoenix turned the ball over 20 times.

3 Warriors scored at least 28 points each, led by Ellis with a career-best 31 points, going 14-of-23. Stephen Jackson added 32 with 8 rebounds, while Baron Davis pitched in with another strong effort with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Phoenix was led by G Steve Nash with 23 points, 13 assists but 8 turnovers. Grant Hill and Amare Stoudemire added 17 each, while Leandro Barbosa chipped in with 16. Golden State (6-7) travels east on I-80 to take on the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night, while Phoenix (11-3) returns home to host the Houston Rockets, also on Wednesday.