MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors, a person with direct knowledge of the deal said Tuesday night.

The Bucks will receive guard Monta Ellis, forward Ekpe Udoh and center Kwame Brown, the person confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the deal on its website Tuesday night.

The trade represents a parting of ways between the Bucks and Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft who has struggled with injuries. It also allows the Bucks to rid themselves of Jackson, who had fallen out of favor with coach Scott Skiles and now gets to rejoin his former team.

The players won’t be separated from their respective former teams for very long, as the Warriors host the Bucks on Friday night.

Speaking before Golden State‘s game at Sacramento on Tuesday, Ellis said he and Udoh were headed back to Oakland.

“It’s not a bad thing, man,” Ellis said. “Not at all. We are going to another team to do the same thing we love to do. I’m riding back home with him.”

Bogut fractured his left ankle Jan. 25 against Houston when he landed awkwardly, and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to return this season. The original timetable for his recovery was eight to 12 weeks. It’s one of several significant injuries that have plagued Bogut throughout his career.

The Australian missed the end of the 2009-10 season when he dislocated his right elbow, sprained his right wrist and broke his right hand in a hard fall to the floor. The injury bothered him for much of last season.

Bogut also missed significant time with an injured lower back in the 2008-09 season.

When Bogut has played, he has played well. In 408 career games, he is averaging 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots.

The Bucks struggled in February without Bogut, but have won four of their last five to chase down the struggling New York Knicks in a race for what would be the No. 8 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

Jackson, meanwhile, hasn’t played since Feb. 19, recently sitting out with what the team has described as a hamstring injury. Skiles benched him for a game in January after he missed a shootaround, he was suspended one game by the NBA for verbally abusing an official and his playing time has been limited ever since.

The deal brings the enigmatic “Captain Jack” back to the Bay Area. He helped lead the team’s only playoff run since 1994, a surprising trip to the second round in 2007. In October 2009, the disgruntled Golden State star asked to relinquish his captain title during a meeting with then-Warriors coach Don Nelson and general manager Larry Riley. He was traded to Charlotte the next month.

Ellis has been the Warriors’ main offensive threat, averaging 21.9 points.

Ellis signed a six-year, $66 million contract in July 2008, then injured his left ankle in August in a low-speed mo-ped crash — an offseason activity prohibited in his deal as is a standard provision for contracts around the league. It cost him a 30-game suspension without pay.

Udoh is averaging 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 21.8 minutes for the Warriors, who were set to play at Sacramento on Tuesday night. Udoh is an athletic power forward who was Golden State’s sixth pick in the 2010 draft out of Baylor. The Warriors hoped he would become a reliable defender, rebounder and shot blocker.

Brown, a former No. 1 pick, is likely out for the season with a chest injury.

___

AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

Depending on which media outlet you want to believe, a three-team deal involving Monta Ellis, Chris Kaman, and Dwight Howard is reportedly being discussed. But according to the Contra Costa Times, a blockbuster trade is unlikely to happen this week: “Team sources, once again, refute reports that Golden State is considering trading guard Monta Ellis to Orlando for anything other than Dwight Howard. Warriors management has held with that stance even though the latest possibility includes a third team – New Orleans. [...] One of the sources said the Warriors would not give up Ellis for Hornets center Chris Kaman, reportedly New Orleans’ key piece in the three-team talks. Golden State sources have consistently said they want a star in return if they move Ellis. Kaman, who is two years removed from his best year and is a free agent at season’s end, doesn’t qualify in the Warriors’ minds. There is basically no combination of players, from Orlando and/or New Orleans, that will make the Warriors part with Ellis. As a matter of fact, the Warriors are embracing the reality that a trade – especially a major splash – won’t happen by Thursday’s trade deadline. One Golden State source the team would be OK if they didn’t pull off the trade now. That way, the Warriors can deal in the offseason, this time without the lockout hindrances from last offseason.”

Andrew Bogut may not be available until the playoffs at best. The Golden State Warriors are not making the playoffs. (Sorry Warriors fans, I know it’s mathematically possible, but you need to accept it. You can’t keep the same mediocre roster and expect different results.)

Still, the Warriors are looking to make a run at Bogut seeing him as a long-term answer at the five spot, reports the Contra Costa Times. It just isn’t very likely to happen.

According to team sources, the Warriors are preparing to make a play for Milwaukee’s center. He’s high on their list, but one source didn’t sound too optimistic….

But even if the Warriors come up with a package the Bucks might like – for instance Andris Biedrins, Kwame Brown’s expiring, Dorell Wright and Ekpe Udoh — Golden State would have to take back on of two players they really don’t want. Stephen Jackson or Drew Gooden.

For one, the Warriors should not give up Udoh in that deal, he has potential. Also, the Warriors don’t need just to swap bad deals (although Stephen Jackson had his best seasons as a Warriors and was a crowd favorite). The final thing is, are they so desperate at the center spot as to consider a guy with Bogut’s injury history? Yes, those are all “fluke” injuries, but that’s a lot of flukes now. Just has to make you nervous.

But it shows you where the Warriors’ mindset is.

The Los Angeles Clippers played down to their opponent and fell to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday March 11. Even after a furious fourth quarter rally by Los Angeles, the Warriors held on to win by a score of 97-93. With the loss, the Clippers fall to 23-16 on the season. This game shows that an emerging Clipper team still has a lot of work to do before they’re considered a contender.

Clippers/Warriors 3/11/12
Kyle Rapoza

Being in attendance for the game, it was clear that Golden State was the more physical and more aggressive team for most of the game. Surprisingly, their lineup of primarily guards gave Los Angeles the most trouble. The Clipper defense struggled when they were forced to play three guards together and match up with the Warriors’ athleticism.

Los Angeles was done in by poor free throw shooting throughout the game. They made just 19 out of 35 free throws for 54%. Many of the attempts weren’t even close and barely hit the rim. In the end, a four point loss was decided by free throw shooting.

The Clippers were led by Blake Griffin who finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds for the game. Griffin shot just seven out of 15 at the line though. Golden State played physical on Blake throughout and it really seemed to get to him late in the game. His free throw shooting was affected, and Blake appeared to force things on the offensive end at key times.

Much of their fourth quarter rally featured a lineup that included reserves Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Evans, and Bobby Simmons. Credit should go to coach Vinny Del Negro for keeping with the hot hand in crunch time. The rally came up short as Golden State regained their composure in the final two minutes and Monta Ellis made hit big baskets to lead his team to the victory.

Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 21 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. Dorrell Wright also got hot from three point range and finished with 20 points and four three pointers.

Being at the game, it’s fun to see energy in the stands for Clipper games again. This team is certainly improved and is fun to watch again. These are the type of games that championship contenders need to win and take care of business. The lack of energy early in the game shows the Clippers aren’t quite there yet. They’re certainly getting closer though.

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. He’s a lifelong NBA fan that has enjoyed watching the Clippers’ rise to relevancy this season.

Source:

Clippers vs. Warriors box score

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LOS ANGELES — Just like that, the game was tied at 83, with more than four minutes still to go. Golden State’s 21-point lead, which they held just 10 minutes earlier, was extinct.

The stage was set for another disappointing loss. The Warriors, finishing a back-to-back set, were again reeling, wilting under the pressure of a late run by the home team. This time, though, they didn’t cave.

Rather suddenly, Golden State flipped the switch Sunday — just in time to pull out a 97-93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Over the final 3:19, after a timeout allowed them to regroup, the Warriors made every necessary play down the stretch.

“We don’t have a history of responding when an opponent

increases the volume,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson proudly told reporters after the game. “I love the fact that my guys settled down and made plays.”

The Warriors survived despite scoring just 19 points on 5-for-13 shooting with six turnovers in the fourth quarter. Even with the fourth-quarter struggles, Golden State still finished at 51.4 percent from the field, including 8 of 15 from 3-point range.

The Warriors held the Clippers to 43 percent shooting.

That’s two straight victories. A game at Sacramento on Tuesday, a winnable game, is the only thing standing between the Warriors and their second three-game win streak of the season. Their confidence is sky high after knocking off a rested Clippers team in the running for

a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

For good reason, too. With point guard Stephen Curry glued to the bench — the Warriors took the Clippers’ best shot and, though dazed, didn’t fall.

“At the end of the day, we looked up and saw we were still ahead,” guard Monta Ellis said after totaling 21 points and 11 assists, his second 20-and-10 game of the season. “We kept our composure.”

The Warriors regained control after starting center Ekpe Udoh blocked a runner by Clippers

guard Eric Bledsoe. Ellis grabbed the rebound and went coast-to-coast, dropping in a reverse layup in traffic to put the Warriors up 85-83 with 2:58 left.

After Griffin split a pair of free throws, forward Brandon Rush put the Warriors up 87-84 by dunking back Udoh’s miss. Rush then grabbed a critical rebound on the ensuing defensive possession, securing a much-needed stop.

Then David Lee (18 points, 10 rebounds), who had been in foul trouble all night, converted a tough driving layup to put the Warriors up by five. He ran to the bench flexing his muscles after the Clippers called a timeout with 1:27 left.

Before Ellis’ basket, the Warriors had totaled five points and six turnovers in the quarter. But in a span of less than

two minutes, they were as clutch as ever.

After the timeout, the Warriors took advantage of another Clippers turnover — an illegal rim assist — to get the ball back. Rookie swingman Klay Thompson knocked down two free throws to put Golden State ahead 91-84 with 1:19 left. They were the first of eight free throws the Warriors made down the stretch to seal it.

“No reason to panic,” forward Dorell Wright said. “We were up, and they made their run.”

WARRIORS VS. MEMPHIS

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Oracle Arena

TV/Radio: NBATV; CSNBA; 680-AM

Grizzlies update: Memphis, which has had three days off, has won four straight and 10 of its past 12 games. Including in that stretch is a 104-103 squeaker over the Warriors at the FedEx Forum on Feb. 18. … Since taking over for injured Zach Randolph, forward Marreese Speights has proven to be a serviceable big. In 29 starts, he’s averaging 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23.1 minutes.

Warriors update: Golden State returns home after six straight road games, which it split. … The Warriors have won three of their past four at Oracle Arena. They entered Tuesday 41/2 games

in back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. … Forward David Lee had 13 points and 10 rebounds Monday, snapping his streak of games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds at three. Still, over his past four games, he is averaging 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds.

Grizzlies injuries: PF Randolph (torn right MCL) and PF Darrell Arthur (torn Achilles) are out.

Warriors injuries: C Kwame Brown (torn chest muscle) is out. PG Stephen Curry (sprained right foot) is day-to-day.

– MARCUS THOMPSON

WASHINGTON – The Golden State Warriors found the perfect remedy for a team struggling through a long road trip: the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards, on the other hand, seem to have no answers after a performance their coach termed “unprofessional.”

Golden State found the 3-point shooting touch that had been missing for the previous five games of the road swing and routed the Wizards from the opening quarter in a 120-100 win Monday night.

The Warriors were 15 for 23 on 3-pointers, a season-best 65.2 percent.

“It was like the basket was big for everybody. Everybody was making shots,” Monta Ellis said.

Ellis led the Warriors with 25 points and was 10 for 16 from the floor, including 2 for 4 on 3-pointers. He didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter as both teams emptied their benches.

The long-range barrage was a sharp turnaround from the previous five games, when the Warriors shot 24.2 percent from 3-point range.

“I wish they would have came a little bit earlier, but we’re going to take this one, go home and see what happens,” Ellis said.

Klay Thompson scored 18, and David Lee had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Golden State, which had six players in double figures. It was Golden State’s highest-scoring game since beating Toronto 138-100 on March 25, 2011.

Nick Young scored 25 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, and John Wall had 20 points and 14 assists for Washington, which lost for the seventh time in eight games.

“We get one win and come into a situation where we have a team at the end of a road trip, in a back-to-back and we come in with that effort to start the game,” Washington coach Randy Wittman said. “Inexcusable, and that’s on me. … That is unprofessional. I apologize to everybody that had to watch it and had to come here tonight.”

Golden State had run into problems in the second half their previous two games, scoring a then season-low 36 second-half points in a 105-83 loss at Philadelphia Friday. The Warriors had an even worse showing Sunday at Toronto, scoring 28 points and losing 83-75 despite taking a nine-point halftime lead.

This time, Golden State jumped out to a lead so big there was no chance of giving it up in the second half. Ellis hit a running 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to put Golden State ahead 41-24. The Warriors shot 71.4 percent from the field in the quarter, and were 5 of 6 from 3-point range. It was Golden State’s highest-scoring quarter this season, and the most points the Wizards have allowed in a quarter.

“Some guys knew, we lost the game before we came on the court,” Wall said. “Too much joking in the locker room. Too much joking through warm-ups.”

It never got better for Washington. The Warriors extended the lead, going on a 19-2 run that started late in the opening quarter and into the second to make the lead 48-24, and they led by as many as 25 in the second quarter.

The Verizon Center crowd of 17,843 let the Wizards know they were unhappy with one of the team’s worst home performances this season. Forward Andray Blatche has been the target of fans’ ire for much of the season, and playing in his second game after missing more than a month with a strained left calf he was booed as soon as he checked into the game in the first quarter, and heard more throughout the game.

“You’re home and people that’s supposed to have your back don’t have your back. Instead of encouraging you to get better, they push you down and hope you do worse,” Blatche said. “Every time I touch the ball, I’m second-guessing. I’m trying to avoid the boos. Trying to play a perfect game so I don’t have to hear it so I can help my team win.”

Ellis made sure Golden State didn’t have another second-half collapse, scoring 10 of the Warriors’ 24 points in the third quarter and ensuring Washington never built momentum for a comeback. Both teams looked like they were on cruise-control for the final period with most of the starters on the bench.

The Warriors finished the road trip 3-3 and will return home confident their long-range game is back.

“I’m not a coach that’s going to tell them to stop shooting. Fortunately tonight they started falling,” Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. “This was a great win, and it certainly does make the trip back home a little easier.”

NOTES: Warriors G Stephen Curry (strained tendon in his right foot) had his first significant playing time in five games, scoring 12 points in nine minutes. Curry had played just 3 seconds in the previous four games. “If it was a closer game I would have kept him out there a little bit longer, but it made no sense to risk anything,” Jackson said. “He jumped in the pool and he got out.” … Wizards G Nick Young (bruised right knee) returned after missing Saturday’s game. … It was Wall’s third double-double in five games. …. It was the 100th win of the series for the Warriors. Golden State is 100-80 all-time against Washington.

WASHINGTON (AP)—The Golden State Warriors found the perfect remedy for a
team struggling through a long road trip: the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards, on the other hand, seem to have no answers after a performance
their coach termed “unprofessional.”

Golden State found the 3-point shooting touch that had been missing for the
previous five games of the road swing and routed the Wizards from the opening
quarter in a 120-100 win Monday night.

The Warriors were 15 for 23 on 3-pointers, a season-best 65.2 percent.

“It was like the basket was big for everybody. Everybody was making
shots,” Monta Ellis said.

Ellis led the Warriors with 25 points and was 10 for 16 from the floor,
including 2 for 4 on 3-pointers. He didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter as
both teams emptied their benches.

The long-range barrage was a sharp turnaround from the previous five games,
when the Warriors shot 24.2 percent from 3-point range.

“I wish they would have came a little bit earlier, but we’re going to take
this one, go home and see what happens,” Ellis said.

Klay Thompson scored 18, and David Lee had 13 points and 10 rebounds for
Golden State, which had six players in double figures. It was Golden State’s
highest-scoring game since beating Toronto 138-100 on March 25, 2011.

Nick Young scored 25 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, and John Wall had 20
points and 14 assists for Washington, which lost for the seventh time in eight
games.

“We get one win and come into a situation where we have a team at the end
of a road trip, in a back-to-back and we come in with that effort to start the
game,” Washington coach Randy Wittman said. “Inexcusable, and that’s on me.
… That is unprofessional. I apologize to everybody that had to watch it and
had to come here tonight.”

Golden State had run into problems in the second half their previous two
games, scoring a then season-low 36 second-half points in a 105-83 loss at
Philadelphia Friday. The Warriors had an even worse showing Sunday at Toronto,
scoring 28 points and losing 83-75 despite taking a nine-point halftime lead.

This time, Golden State jumped out to a lead so big there was no chance of
giving it up in the second half. Ellis hit a running 3-pointer at the first
quarter buzzer to put Golden State ahead 41-24. The Warriors shot 71.4 percent
from the field in the quarter, and were 5 of 6 from 3-point range. It was Golden
State’s highest-scoring quarter this season, and the most points the Wizards
have allowed in a quarter.

“Some guys knew, we lost the game before we came on the court,” Wall said.
“Too much joking in the locker room. Too much joking through warm-ups.”

It never got better for Washington. The Warriors extended the lead, going on
a 19-2 run that started late in the opening quarter and into the second to make
the lead 48-24, and they led by as many as 25 in the second quarter.

The Verizon Center crowd of 17,843 let the Wizards know they were unhappy
with one of the team’s worst home performances this season. Forward Andray
Blatche has been the target of fans’ ire for much of the season, and playing in
his second game after missing more than a month with a strained left calf he was
booed as soon as he checked into the game in the first quarter, and heard more
throughout the game.

“You’re home and people that’s supposed to have your back don’t have your
back. Instead of encouraging you to get better, they push you down and hope you
do worse,” Blatche said. “Every time I touch the ball, I’m second-guessing.
I’m trying to avoid the boos. Trying to play a perfect game so I don’t have to
hear it so I can help my team win.”

Ellis made sure Golden State didn’t have another second-half collapse,
scoring 10 of the Warriors’ 24 points in the third quarter and ensuring
Washington never built momentum for a comeback. Both teams looked like they were
on cruise-control for the final period with most of the starters on the bench.

The Warriors finished the road trip 3-3 and will return home confident their
long-range game is back.

“I’m not a coach that’s going to tell them to stop shooting. Fortunately
tonight they started falling,” Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. “This was
a great win, and it certainly does make the trip back home a little easier.”

NOTES: Warriors G Stephen Curry (strained tendon in his right foot) had his
first significant playing time in five games, scoring 12 points in nine minutes.
Curry had played just 3 seconds in the previous four games. “If it was a closer
game I would have kept him out there a little bit longer, but it made no sense
to risk anything,” Jackson said. “He jumped in the pool and he got out.” …
Wizards G Nick Young (bruised right knee) returned after missing Saturday’s
game. … It was Wall’s third double-double in five games. …. It was the 100th
win of the series for the Warriors. Golden State is 100-80 all-time against
Washington.

WASHINGTON (CBS / AP) — Monta Ellis scored 25 points and Klay Thompson added 18 to lead the Golden State Warriors in a 120-100 rout of the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

David Lee had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Golden State, which had six players in double figures.

Ellis was 10 for 16 from the floor and didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter as both teams rested their starters. The Warriors ended their six-game road trip with a 3-3 record.

It was Golden State’s highest-scoring game since beating Toronto 138-100 on March 25, 2011.

Nick Young scored 25 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, and John Wall had 20 points and 14 assists for Washington, which lost for the seventh time in eight games.

The Warriors never trailed and jumped out to a big lead early.  Ellis hit a running 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to put Golden State ahead 41-24. The Warriors shot 71.4 percent from the field in the quarter, and were 5 of 6 from 3-point range. It was Golden State’s highest-scoring quarter this season, and the most points the Wizards have allowed in a quarter.

It never got better for Washington. The Warriors extended the lead, going on a 19-2 run that started late in the opening quarter and into the second to make the lead 48-24.

Golden State led by as many as 25 in the second quarter before Washington started to respond. The Wizards managed a 16-5 run late in the second and cut the lead to 65-51 at halftime.

The Warriors had run into problems in the second half their previous two games. Golden State scored a then season-low 36 second-half points in a 105-83 loss at Philadelphia Friday. The Warriors had an even worse showing Sunday at Toronto, scoring 28 points in the second half and losing 83-75 despite taking a nine-point halftime lead.

Ellis made sure Golden State didn’t have another second-half collapse, scoring 10 of the Warriors’ 24 points in the third quarter and ensuring Washington never built momentum for a comeback.

Golden State led 89-71 at the start of the fourth quarter. Both teams looked like they were on cruise-control for the final period with most of the starters on the bench.

NOTES: Warriors G Stephen Curry (strained tendon in his right foot) had his first significant playing time in five games, scoring 12 points in nine minutes. Curry had played just 3 seconds in the previous four games. … Wizards G Nick Young (bruised right knee) returned after missing Saturday’s game. … It was Wall’s third double-double in five games. …. It was the 100^th win of the series for the Warriors. Golden State is 100-80 all-time against Washington.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Coach Randy Wittman didn’t have to see Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis torch his team from nearly every spot on the floor, including half court. He didn’t have to watch Warriors guard Stephen Curry track down an errant Ellis pass intended for no one in particular and bury a desperation three-pointer from 27 feet. He didn’t really need to watch 5-foot-9 reserve Nate Robinson soar above Andray Blatche to snatch a rebound, then dribble down the other end to bury an uncontested three-pointer.

From the body language of his players as they joked around in the locker room prior to tip-off, to their dancing and giggling in pregame warmups, Wittman knew that the result at the end of the night was going to resemble the 120-100 debacle that unfolded at Verizon Center on Monday night.

He fumed through every defensive breakdown, terrible pass, missed free throw and meaningless Nick Young second-half basket, and afterward, Wittman took the blame for what easily was the worst home performance since he replaced Flip Saunders.

“That’s about as disappointed as I’ve been. I’ll take full responsibility for this one,” Wittman said. “I had a sense before the game we weren’t ready to play. But I ain’t going to put up with that again. Inexcusable and that’s on me. I’ll take responsibility for that, because I’m going to clean that up. That is unprofessional. I apologize to everybody that had to watch it and had to come here tonight.”

The Washington Wizards (8-29) have lost 19 games by double digits, with 10 coming since Wittman took over. But they were especially atrocious against a Warriors team that had lost the night before in Toronto and was completing a nine-day, five-game trip to start the second half of the season. After taking a day off on Sunday following a victory over Cleveland, the Wizards continued their rest through the first 15 minutes. They had 24 points with about nine minutes left in the second quarter, but the Warriors had already doubled them when former Wizard Dominic McGuire dunked.

The Warriors led 53-28 when reserve guard Klay Thompson hit a long jumper with 7 minutes 25 seconds left in the first half. The Wizards made a few counterfeit runs but never got closer than 13 points the rest of the game. They allowed Golden State to shoot 61 percent in the first half, go 15 for 23 (65.2 percent) from three-point range. Six Warriors made at least two three-pointers, including Ellis, who had a team-high 25 points and sat the entire the fourth quarter. Golden State shot better from long distance than the Wizards did from the foul line (20 for 36).

“It was a poor performance,” Trevor Booker said after scoring 14 points. “It’s like we didn’t play any defense. They had 41 points in the first quarter. I mean, you can’t win doing that.”

Young returned after missing the previous game with a bruised right knee and led the Wizards with 25 carefree points (and zero assists) off the bench — 22 came after halftime, when he entered the game with the team already trailing by 19. His contributions in the first half consisted of a three-pointer and poor possession in which he dribbled down the clock and passed to Roger Mason Jr. with two seconds to shoot. Mason rushed and shot an air ball that led to a violation.

Coach Randy Wittman didn’t have to see Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis torch his team from nearly every spot on the floor, including half court. He didn’t have to watch Warriors guard Stephen Curry track down an errant Ellis pass intended for no one in particular and bury a desperation three-pointer from 27 feet. He didn’t really need to watch 5-foot-9 reserve Nate Robinson soar above Andray Blatche to snatch a rebound, then dribble down the other end to bury an uncontested three-pointer.

From the body language of his players as they joked around in the locker room prior to tip-off, to their dancing and giggling in pregame warmups, Wittman knew that the result at the end of the night was going to resemble the 120-100 debacle that unfolded at Verizon Center on Monday night.

He fumed through every defensive breakdown, terrible pass, missed free throw and meaningless Nick Young second-half basket, and afterward, Wittman took the blame for what easily was the worst home performance since he replaced Flip Saunders.

“That’s about as disappointed as I’ve been. I’ll take full responsibility for this one,” Wittman said. “I had a sense before the game we weren’t ready to play. But I ain’t going to put up with that again. Inexcusable and that’s on me. I’ll take responsibility for that, because I’m going to clean that up. That is unprofessional. I apologize to everybody that had to watch it and had to come here tonight.”

The Washington Wizards (8-29) have lost 19 games by double digits, with 10 coming since Wittman took over. But they were especially atrocious against a Warriors team that had lost the night before in Toronto and was completing a nine-day, five-game trip to start the second half of the season. After taking a day off on Sunday following a victory over Cleveland, the Wizards continued their rest through the first 15 minutes. They had 24 points with about nine minutes left in the second quarter, but the Warriors had already doubled them when former Wizard Dominic McGuire dunked.

The Warriors led 53-28 when reserve guard Klay Thompson hit a long jumper with 7 minutes 25 seconds left in the first half. The Wizards made a few counterfeit runs but never got closer than 13 points the rest of the game. They allowed Golden State to shoot 61 percent in the first half, go 15 for 23 (65.2 percent) from three-point range. Six Warriors made at least two three-pointers, including Ellis, who had a team-high 25 points and sat the entire the fourth quarter. Golden State shot better from long distance than the Wizards did from the foul line (20 for 36).

“It was a poor performance,” Trevor Booker said after scoring 14 points. “It’s like we didn’t play any defense. They had 41 points in the first quarter. I mean, you can’t win doing that.”

Young returned after missing the previous game with a bruised right knee and led the Wizards with 25 carefree points (and zero assists) off the bench — 22 came after halftime, when he entered the game with the team already trailing by 19. His contributions in the first half consisted of a three-pointer and poor possession in which he dribbled down the clock and passed to Roger Mason Jr. with two seconds to shoot. Mason rushed and shot an air ball that led to a violation.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Monta Ellis scored 25 points and Klay Thompson added 18 to lead the Golden State Warriors in a 120-100 rout of the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

David Lee had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Golden State, which had six players in double figures.

Ellis was 10 for 16 from the floor and didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter as both teams rested their starters. The Warriors ended their six-game road trip with a 3-3 record.

It was Golden State’s highest-scoring game since beating Toronto 138-100 on March 25, 2011.

Nick Young scored 25 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, and John Wall had 20 points and 14 assists for Washington, which lost for the seventh time in eight games.

The Warriors never trailed and jumped out to a big lead early. Ellis hit a running 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to put Golden State ahead 41-24. The Warriors shot 71.4 percent from the field in the quarter, and were 5 of 6 from 3-point range. It was Golden State’s highest-scoring quarter this season, and the most points the Wizards have allowed in a quarter.

It never got better for Washington. The Warriors extended the lead, going on a 19-2 run that started late in the opening quarter and into the second to make the lead 48-24.

Golden State led by as many as 25 in the second quarter before Washington started to respond. The Wizards managed a 16-5 run late in the second and cut the lead to 65-51 at halftime.

The Warriors had run into problems in the second half their previous two games. Golden State scored a then season-low 36 second-half points in a 105-83 loss at Philadelphia Friday. The Warriors had an even worse showing Sunday at Toronto, scoring 28 points in the second half and losing 83-75 despite taking a nine-point halftime lead.

Ellis made sure Golden State didn’t have another second-half collapse, scoring 10 of the Warriors’ 24 points in the third quarter and ensuring Washington never built momentum for a comeback.

Golden State led 89-71 at the start of the fourth quarter. Both teams looked like they were on cruise-control for the final period with most of the starters on the bench.

NOTES: Warriors G Stephen Curry (strained tendon in his right foot) had his first significant playing time in five games, scoring 12 points in nine minutes. Curry had played just 3 seconds in the previous four games. … Wizards G Nick Young (bruised right knee) returned after missing Saturday’s game. … It was Wall’s third double-double in five games. …. It was the 100th win of the series for the Warriors. Golden State is 100-80 all-time against Washington.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON — Warriors guard Monta Ellis, after getting caught in the air on a drive to the basket, threw an errant pass.

Stephen Curry — fresh off a four-game injury stint on the bench — chased down the loose ball and, from right where he was, chucked a 3-pointer. Drilled it from about 30 feet.

It was that kind of night for the Warriors. Everything they threw up seemed to go in, leading to a 120-100 rout of the Washington Wizards. The win ended a two-game losing streak and ended the five-game trip on a positive not.

Golden State shot 54.2 percent from the field and even made 15 shots from behind the arc, one off the season high.

“We made shots, that’s the biggest thing,” Ellis said after totaling

25 points and eight assists. “Wish they could’ve come a little bit earlier. … It was one of those nights when the basket was big for everyone.”

Monday’s performance was the antithesis of Sunday’s loss at Toronto, when the Warriors couldn’t throw a rock into the ocean from the edge of a boat. Golden State even got a season-high 52 points from the bench, led by 18 points from rookie Klay Thompson.

Certainly, they were playing one of the league’s worst defenses. Washington came into the game ranked 29th in points allowed (101.3 per game) and 26th in field goal percentage defense (45.5 percent).

Ellis scored 14 points in the first quarter, capped with a running 3-pointer from 36-feet at the buzzer for a 41-24 lead. The Warriors

made 15 of their first shots 21 shots and never looked back.

“We are not where I want to be,” coach Mark Jackson said, “But I have no doubt about the mentality of this basketball team. They’re not going to quit. They’re not going to let go of the rope.”

The Golden State Warriors will play the Washington Wizards on the back-end of a back-to-back on March 5 before returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies. For the Warriors, this matchup will be important in trying to bring some momentum back home to the Bay Area with them. Playing without star Stephen Curry has hurt the Warriors in various aspects of their game. Coach Mark Jackson has tried a couple different lineups, but has not found one to successfully replicate Curry’s presence on the court and what it meant to the Warriors.

The Warriors may have an opportunity to get a win against the Wizards, but there are a few things that they will need to do in order to achieve that goal:

Strong Interior Defense

The Warriors’ interior defense is anything but intimidating. David Lee is a good rebounder and scorer but when it comes to playing defense, he’s not the best in the league. If the Warriors had some help for Lee in the front court on offense, maybe he could expel more energy on the defensive side of the ball. When the Warriors tip off against the Wizards, John Wall is going to be coming at them hard. He’s going to drive the lane and try to get to the line as much as possible. The Warriors have to step things up defensively on the interior to have a chance to win and to eliminate as many three-point plays as possible.

Ekpe Udoh

Ekpe Udoh started against the Toronto Raptors at center after Mark Jackson realized that it wasn’t 2007 and Andris Biedrins wouldn’t be pouring in the points or blocking every shot within a five-foot radius. Now that the Udoh has started, hopefully Jackson will continue to put him in the starting lineup and give Udoh the opportunity to get used to playing starter’s minutes. Once that happens, I really think that Udoh could be a nice fill-in until the Warriors decide they want a true big man at center – which hopefully will happen this offseason. (I use the word “hopefully” very loosely in that sentence.)

Nate Robinson

For some reason, Mark Jackson has been starting Dominic McGuire in the absence of Curry. If anything I would have hoped to see Nate Robinson fill the empty starting role at point guard. Right now the Warriors are essentially playing with Monta Ellis at guard and then four forwards who are 6-foot-9 or taller. As nice as it is to have size on the floor, having only Ellis out there as a guard leaves a lot on his shoulders in terms of scoring. Sure David Lee and Dorell Wright are good for a double-digit effort in points most nights, but they need another guard in the backcourt. I think Robinson could easily fit into that role, but for some reason the Warriors haven’t found it necessary to do so just yet.

In all, the Warriors should be able to head home with a victory and a 2-3 road trip. If Curry is not in the starting lineup against the Wizards it will only make things harder for the Warriors to get the win. If Monta Ellis and David Lee help lead the charge, the Warriors will take down the Wizards.

Prediction: Warriors 107 – Wizards 98

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NBA.com. Warriors vs. Wizards Preview. NBA 2012.

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