Ellis, Morrow pace Warriors to first win

Nov 5, 2:06 am EST

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Stephen Jackson(notes) shakes his head when considering the potential of teammate Anthony Morrow(notes).

“His upside is what’s scary, how good he can be,” said Jackson, after Morrow scored 24 points off the bench to lead the Golden State Warriors to their first win of the season, 113-105 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

“He’s definitely one of the best shooters in the game, pure shooters. There are a lot of people that can shoot but he’s a pure shooter. There’s been a shortage on those in the league the last couple of years. He is definitely one.”

Morrow’s big night came after he spent all but 47 seconds of the first quarter on the bench. That coincided with the Warriors’ slow start when the Grizzlies raced out to an early 13-point lead.

But after coach Don Nelson inserted the second-year player into the lineup and moved Monta Ellis(notes) to point guard, Golden State’s high-intensity offense took off.

Morrow made 10 of 12 shots from the floor, including 4-for-4 on 3-pointers, while getting into a scoring shootout with Grizzlies’ forward Rudy Gay(notes). The two men traded baskets during a four-minute stretch in the third quarter before Morrow’s 3-pointer with 2:49 left started a 10-5 run that gave the Warriors an 87-77 lead that was never challenged.

“It’s just really all about doing what I have to do to stay on the court,” Morrow said. “(Gay) scored some buckets but I wanted to make sure I did the best job I could and also went back at him offensively. He’s a great player so I just wanted to match that level of intensity.”

Ellis had 24 points and a season-high 12 assists, Jackson and Corey Maggette(notes) added 20 points apiece while rookie Stephen Curry(notes) had seven points and nine assists for the Warriors, who were outrebounded 46-35.

Gay had 29 points and eight rebounds for Memphis while Allen Iverson(notes) added 18 points to become the 16th player in NBA history to reach 24,000 for his career. The Grizzlies lost their third straight and were held under 115 points for the first time since their season-opener.

“Defense is what did us in,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We don’t guard anybody. We haven’t guarded anybody the last four or five games since the season started.”

The Warriors won despite falling into a big hole against the younger, more athletic Grizzlies. Golden State also played much of the first half without starting center Andris Biedrins(notes), who picked up three fouls in the first 5 1/2 minutes.

But after a sluggish start offensively, the Warriors got running with Ellis and Curry pushing Nelson’s fastbreak offense. Morrow, who averaged just seven points in the first two games of the season, was the biggest benefactor.

He sparked the Warriors’ charge in the second quarter, scoring seven of his points, including a tip-in of an Ellis miss and a 3-pointer that tied the game at 43-43 with 5:02 left in the first half. A reverse layup by Ellis put Golden State ahead 49-47 and he later scored on another reverse to help the Warriors take a two-point lead at halftime.

“Morrow really was the only guy I thought was hot,” Nelson said. “This is the first time this year where we were really looking for him. He did the rest. And the fast pace helps him get open.”

Morrow’s scoring streak extended into the third quarter when Golden State outscored Memphis 19-8 over the final six minutes to take control of the game for good. The second-year guard had 15 points, going 6-for-6 from the floor and making all three of his 3-point attempts.

The Warriors later led by as much as 15 in the fourth quarter and coasted home for the win.

Iverson, who complained about his role after playing sparingly off the bench in Memphis’ game against Sacramento on Monday, scored six points during a 17-0 Memphis run in the first half. The Grizzlies used that burst and a 21-9 edge in rebounding to take a 13-point lead in the first quarter but let it slip away when the Warriors made a strong surge in the second period.

“Not a lot of players like to play defense (but) winning teams play defense,” Iverson said. “Some nights you’re not going to be able to throw a rock in the ocean but if you still play defense you give yourself a chance to win.”

O.J. Mayo(notes), who had career-high 40 points against Denver on Sunday, scored 14 on 4 of 13 shooting against Golden State, which beat the Grizzlies for the first time since 2007.

Marc Gasol(notes) added 12 points and 14 rebounds while Zach Randolph(notes) had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis (1-4), which swept the season-series between the two teams last year.

Notes: The Warriors were without forward Ronny Turiaf(notes), who sprained his left knee in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to Phoenix. It’s the same knee that bothered Turiaf before forced him to miss the majority of training camp.

Updated Nov 5, 2:06 am EST
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Golden State at Dallas

Tue Nov 24, 2009, 8:30 pm EST

Memphis vs Sacramento

Mon Nov 23, 2009, 8:00 pm EST

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35 Comments

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  1. G-Loc
    35. Posted by G-Loc Sun Nov 8 11:06pm EST

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    I Luv Nellie...But The Game Has Passed Him By. He's Just Hanging Around To Become The Coach w/the Most Wins In NBA History. Bye Bye After This Season...Cuz The Warriors Have Talent.
  2. Jeff E
    34. Posted by Jeff E Fri Nov 6 9:31am EST

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    play ACIE LAW! he was doin pretty decent in the preseason when given a chance...i wish he would get traded to a team actually looking for a PG
  3. Craig I
    33. Posted by Craig I Thu Nov 5 11:14pm EST

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    Well that is how to play the game keep this up and much more play like as if there last chance to be in the NBA find the open man to beat out the team they will face then jackson can keep hes cool on and off the court.
  4. dagoldeneagle
    32. Posted by dagoldeneagle Thu Nov 5 6:12pm EST

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    andy: are you out of your cotton picking mind?
    who wants to pay to see those no-name young guys who belong in the d-league? corey maggette is a legit 20 plus points scorer who draws a lot fouls.
    as fans, we want the best players in the starting lineup and the rotation, not some bs about developing young guys who will always be bust.
    if they wanna develop and get better, practice or send them to the d-league. just because they were lottery picks don't mean anything. nba games are not for development. it's a waste of our money.
  5. ME
    31. Posted by ME Thu Nov 5 6:00pm EST

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    poor Biedrins...I mean rich Biedrins... at least he's being professional
  6. jay j
    30. Posted by jay j Thu Nov 5 5:18pm EST

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    #12


    your a moron
  7. jay j
    29. Posted by jay j Thu Nov 5 5:15pm EST

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    Andy

    you read my mind
  8. MAX_IN_MISSOURI
    28. Posted by MAX_IN_MISSOURI Thu Nov 5 4:47pm EST

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    Kobe raped a girl!
  9. andy
    27. Posted by andy Thu Nov 5 4:19pm EST

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    This poor piss managed team pisses me off. Who wants to see corey maggette play more than 20-25min a game? I understand we are paying him over 10 mill, but we need to develop our young talent. We need to play randolph and curry. Who cares if we win a couple games here and there this year because of maggette or s-jax. We will never be anything better than a mediocre team with these two jacking up all the shots. Trade them for young talent or draft picks. Forget these selfish veterens who don't play team ball. Am i wrong??? Everytime maggette and s-jax touch the ball I get annoyed. Also, someone explain to me why we're paying mikki moore and speedy claxton almost 6 mill a year each? This is more annoying then when we signed d-fish and foyle 6 mill a year each a couple years back. It's so hard to love this team. Also, soon as Nellie gets the record he needs to go.
  10. ME
    26. Posted by ME Thu Nov 5 3:29pm EST

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    AI Needs to age gracefully man...his image(perceived or real) had come along way before the pistons trade....... why give everyone the chance to start pokin again... he should be an NBA elder not a whiney crybaby
  11. kyle
    25. Posted by kyle Thu Nov 5 2:58pm EST

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    I just love watching Anthony Morrow shoot. He just has the most perfect form I have ever seen. I cannot understand how this guy was NOT DRAFTED. His shot is quick, he has a high release point, and he's got the perfect shooters mentality. Catch and shoot. We need to get him the ball WAY MORE. Every time monta drives morrow is open on the wing. GIVE HIM THE BALL. An open morrow three is a higher percentage shot than a monta reverse lol
  12. paa
    24. Posted by paa Thu Nov 5 2:25pm EST

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    Tough luck for coach Lionel Hollins's team. Productive night from his players but still can't get the W. Hopefully Allen Iverson can get his chance to start the game. Nothing to lose everything to gain for coach Hollins to try it. Now that he have a former All-Star, & MVP its not bad to use him while he is healthy. Let him prove everybody wrong about his approach to the game.
  13. ME
    23. Posted by ME Thu Nov 5 2:21pm EST

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    #23..all that talent and no team because Don Nelson has a style ...that needs to be modified because it isnt allowing chemistry...or the the forming of a team.....
    I bet Don Nelson had a part in allowing Baron to go to LA...They werent getting along at the end of the season and for all mullies herioics it didnt get done..hmmm what usually happens (all the time) when nelson and a player dont jive.......jeteson the player because all those wins(and losses) trumps any sense i guess.
  14. Kyman
    22. Posted by Kyman Thu Nov 5 1:43pm EST

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    #18 and #20 . Don nelson wasn't an idiot when Barron Davis was leading the team to an upset over Dallas and 48 wins the next year. It's not the coach it's the players. These cry baby millionaires make cash to play a game and try to win. Instead they pout, ohhh the coach is being hard on me wa, wa, wa. Play ball crybabies and earn your pay with some victories for the fans that pay you.As soon as Al Harrington saw younger and better talent comming in he got selfish and demanded a trade.As soon as Jaxs got his contract he became selfish,so did Monta. Chris Webber is another good example: Coach yells at me, I miss Juan Howard,wa,wa,wa. The players that should be role models to younger players don't want to be and everyone is out for themselves.Wasn't Nelson the coach when Run TMC was in effect. Yes he was and those guys didn't pout and whine they did what they were paid to do,hustle and try to win.

    Bottom Line: Again, all talent no team. You guys try coaching players like these @#$%s, trust me you couldn't and would be losing and struggeling to find chemistry just like Nelson is.
  15. CardsBall
    21. Posted by CardsBall Thu Nov 5 12:52pm EST

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    #18_JR & #20_ME, I agree with both of you.
    We've gotten a bad franchise here and don nelson is an idiot, a moron.
  16. Kyman
    20. Posted by Kyman Thu Nov 5 12:23pm EST

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    Tyson - I gree with you about AI. but Have you been watching these Warrior games?? Correy M. is terrible,a ball hog and way past his prime,he needs to on the floor as little as possible. How about A.M.? He needs to be on the floor and CM on the bench playing the end of quarters to rest better and younger players.

    Monta- Is agood one on one player but he has no clue how to set up other players. I watched him drive to the basket and take shot after shot with other players standing wide open on the wings. Yes he can score but he deosn't make anyone around him better. It's really painful to watch him go one on one all game long. In the long run they will win very few games with him hogging the ball.The assists stats are misleading becuase all the Warriors do is dribble past half court and give it to another player who then creates his own shot.

    Curry- He is a rookie but he is already a better passer than Monta. He will be a good point gaurd eventually. He can shoot,pass and when he gets out of his rookie season he will be able to defend without getting called for fouls on every defensive hustle play.

    Jackson-Yes he can pass well sometimes but playing point is out of the question. He would get doubled and try to take the entire defense to the rim and turn the ball over too much. He does that repeatedly throughout games. Again, just like Monta he doesn't make anyone around him better or get them open looks. He looks for his own shot and screw the rest of the team, just like Monta.

    Bottom Line: A lot of talent but no teamwork. Thus the Warriors will have another losing season with a bunch of guys getting traded to other teams that will become stars on.
  17. ME
    19. Posted by ME Thu Nov 5 11:30am EST

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    Don Nelson Is Alienating Almost Ecery Single Warrior Player...And the Owner Gives HIs Full Support....
    We've got no plan...he's trying to figure it out as they go by shuffling everyone..... but the players the W's have are good...theres no need to wing it...there should be structure maximizing the talent that present..

    F-ed up man...
  18. Derrick R
    18. Posted by Derrick R Thu Nov 5 10:02am EST

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    Will somebody tell A.I. that he is not an All Star anymore! Please. This guy thinks so much of himself. Yeah, he WAS a great player before. But that was all that is. Remember that no team this season wants to sign him. And now, I'm pretty sure the Memphis management is scratching their heads for doing so. The guy can still score. But he is no winner. He scored consecutive 50 plus points in Philly in a losing streak. He doesn't care about the win, just his points. When he was in his prime, he demanded that the team traded his teammates who has the potential to be a scorer like him. If there was a list of ballhogs, his name would be on top of that list. It's just sad what happened to his career. A bunch of guys older and less talented than him have a better market value in the NBA today. His ego is just that big. And bottom line is that teams just wants to win.
  19. JR
    17. Posted by JR Thu Nov 5 4:24am EST

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    Where the hell is Randolph. D Nelson is an idiot
  20. Antony
    16. Posted by Antony Thu Nov 5 4:22am EST

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    Play IVERSON you stupid moron coach...conley who???? Play A.I. you win games. NO debate.
  21. Fukimo Makuto
    15. Posted by Fukimo Makuto Thu Nov 5 2:52am EST

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    Did Arson T attended any school?
  22. docks
    14. Posted by docks Thu Nov 5 2:13am EST

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    Of course AI vs any 2nd team is going to have inflated stats... not that I'm saying Conley is any good.
  23. henri p
    13. Posted by henri p Thu Nov 5 1:49am EST

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    Randolf still has an attitude problem directed at Nelson. Same thing happened last year. Nelson has enough depth to fill in for him atm. When the under rated Wright comes back Randolph needs to seriously get past his attitude problem.
  24. Tyson
    12. Posted by Tyson Thu Nov 5 1:46am EST

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    i dont care much about anthony randolph, but corey maggette/kelenna azubuike/anthony randolph should be starting instead of stephen curry. move ellis or stephen jackson to the point.
  25. Tyson
    11. Posted by Tyson Thu Nov 5 1:45am EST

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    mike conley doesn't belong in the same sentence as allen iverson. they can bring a guy up from the d-league and he can duplicate conley's production.
    allen iverson is not a ballhog. he shot only 12 times and dished out 7 assists. made 8 of time. drew a few fouls in 27 minutes. memphis was competitive when he was on the court (minus 1) even though he shared the court with the 2nd unit wit the likes of sam young, demarre carroll, and marcus williams who all have no business playing in the nba.

    conley on the other hand, wasted 10 possessions by taking 10 shots. was incredibly inefficient by hitting only 3 of them. didn't draw a single foul. dished out 6 assists while commitng 5 turnovers (horrible assists to turnover ratio for a point guard). oh and worst of all, he was minus 17 while playing with the 1st unit. he also logged more minutes than a.i.

    can the media and the nba shut up about a.i. being washed up? this is the most concentrated effort by david stern to marginalize a superstar.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Memphis
R. Gay Rudy Gay
11-18,  29 Pts
8 Rebs, 1 Assists
 Golden State
M. Ellis Monta Ellis
10-23,  24 Pts
7 Rebs, 12 Assists

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