Watch CBS News

Warriors Stun Thunder Behind Ellis' Big Night

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Monta Ellis had 32 points, David Lee added 23 points and a season-high 19 rebounds and Golden State led the entire fourth quarter on its way to a 100-94 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Stephen Curry scored 23 points and had a season-high 13 assists to lead the Warriors to their sixth win in seven games.

Kevin Durant had 29 points and Russell Westbrook added 21 as Oklahoma City lost for the second time in its last three games. The Thunder failed to score 100 points for the second consecutive night after reaching that mark in seven straight games.

Ellis made a 3-pointer, then fed Dorrel Wright for a fastbreak layup to give the Warriors (24-29) a 91-85 lead with 2:31 left. Westbrook then scored on back-to-back trips down the court, and following an Ellis bucket, Green sank a 3-pointer to pull the Thunder within 93-92.

With Oklahoma City focusing its defense on Ellis and Curry, Reggie Williams buried a 3-pointer with 47.2 seconds remaining to bring the sold-out crowd at Oracle Arena to its feet. After Durant made two free throws, Curry drove the lane then dished to Lee under the basket for a game-sealing dunk.

The 23 points are Lee's most since he had 31 in a loss to San Antonio on Jan. 24. Since then, the Warriors prized offseason acquisition had been in a scoring slump and was averaging only 14.1 points in his previous eight games before busting out against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City struggled offensively and looked out of sync most of the night while playing in the second half of a back-to-back. The Thunder beat Sacramento 99-97 on Saturday after losing to Memphis on Tuesday, then made the hour-long trip south to Oakland for the nationally televised game against the Warriors where they came up short most of the night.

It's hardly the type of momentum coach Scott Brooks hoped to have his team carry into the All-Star break.

The Thunder (34-19) committed 20 turnovers, three shy of their season-high, which led to 20 points for the Warriors.

Warriors coach Keith Smart preached to his team before the game about containing Durant, but the Thunder All-Star selection had nine points in the first quarter while Westbrook sat on the bench saddled in foul trouble.

Smart's message to his players kicked in in the second quarter as Durant scored just two points and took only two shots.

Westbrook took over, scoring the final nine points of the half for Oklahoma City but Golden State closed out the second quarter with a 10-4 run to take a 47-43 lead into halftime.

The Thunder briefly led in the third following a 3-pointer from Westbrook but Curry and Lee combined for 10 points apiece, 14 of the Warriors' last 17 points, to help Golden State increase its lead to eight points.

Notes: The Thunder are 6-4 the second night of back-to-backs. ... Oklahoma City F James Harden left the game in the fourth quarter when he fell to the floor after getting the ball stolen by Ellis. Harden, who scored the first eight points of the second quarter, grabbed at his back before being helped to the bench.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.