Slam Dunk Central

?

The Golden State Warriors are getting some important wins as of late and need more of the same in order to stay relevant in the Western Conference playoff race; Sunday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks happened to be one of those games they sorely needed in the win column.? Monta Ellis helped the Warriors’ cause, scoring 30 points, but it was Kelenna Azubuike as he hit two clutch baskets late, leading Golden State to the victory over Dallas, 114-104 at Oracle Arena; the win elevated the Warriors into a tie for 7th in the Western Conference playoff race with Dallas and Denver.

Golden State fell behind early while Dallas took an early 12-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the game; however, the Warriors corrected themselves as they put together a 16-3 run which gave them a 27-26 lead after one quarter.? The Warriors outscored the Mavericks 32-25 as they went into halftime leading 59-51; the third and fourth quarters were much closer.?

Golden State built a 14-point lead in the third period but led by only 4 late in the fourth quarter; that’s when the Warriors’ Azubuike hit a trey to make it 105-98, essentially icing the game for Golden State.? Golden State’s leading scorer was the aforementioned Ellis with 30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block while Baron Davis scored 21 with 6 rebounds and 4 assists; Andris Biedrins and Stephen Jackson added 16 each - Biedrins grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and blocked a shot while Jackson grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, along with a steal.? Azubuike chipped in with 15, along with 7 rebounds.

Dallas was led by Josh Howard with 36 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while Brandon Bass, from off the bench, scored 21 with 5 rebounds and an assist; Jason Terry added 15 with a rebound, 5 assists and 2 steals while Jason Kidd chipped in with 13, along with 9 rebounds, 14 assists and a steal - one rebound shy of a triple-double.? Golden State (45-28) hopes?to continue their momentum as they fly to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Tuesday while Dallas (45-28) travels south to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers Monday.