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Warriors continue hot start with win over Utah

Nov 6, 2010 - 6:54 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Monta Ellis recorded 23 points and a career-high seven steals, and the Golden State Warriors won a rare low-scoring affair by beating the Utah Jazz, 85-78, at Oracle Arena to continue to their strong start to the season.

Stephen Curry returned from injury that cost him two games and posted 20 points and six assists for the Warriors, who have won four of their first five and are 4-0 at home for the first time since 1990-91, when they won their first six as the host.

"We really focused on defense for the last three years. It's just that we have more guys that feed into it, more guys that are willing to play defense," Ellis said. "Even though our offense wasn't going well tonight, we stuck around with our defense."

David Lee provided a low-post presence with 14 points and 15 boards in the win.

Golden State, typically a team that breaks 100 points in every game, won without scoring 90 points for the first time since April 15, 2006.

Deron Williams scored 23 to lead the Jazz, who had won their previous two games. Al Jefferson had 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Paul Millsap had 12 and 11 in defeat.

"They killed us on the offensive boards. We had 21 turnovers. It's awfully tough to win on the road when you have those things happen," said Utah head coach Jerry Sloan. "You have to give them credit: they came in and wanted the game."

After Utah tied the game at 72-72 with seven consecutive points, Curry scored on two straight Warriors possessions, and his three-point play provided Golden State with a 77-72 advantage with just over two minutes to play.

Jefferson made two free throws at the other end, but couldn't pull Utah closer when he missed a shot with 1:16 left. Ellis responded by restoring the Warriors' five-point lead with a 20-foot make with 54.8 tickets remaining.

Utah closed to within three again on Jefferson's reverse layup, but Golden State had another answer on Lee's three-foot tip shot with 21.8 seconds to go.

The Jazz never recovered.

Golden State held a 17-16 lead after a low-scoring first quarter and maintained its one-point advantage, 40-39, at halftime.

A pair of Ellis makes followed by an Andris Biedrins basket gave the Warriors a 54-48 lead midway through the third, and the hosts carried a 60-56 advantage to the fourth.

Golden State held the Jazz without a field goal for over five minutes in the early portion of the fourth to expand its lead to 68-61 on a Dan Gadzuric basket with just over six minutes remaining.

Game Notes

The Warriors outrebounded the Jazz, 52-46, giving them more rebounds than their opponent in four of five games this season. Last season, Golden State had more rebounds than its opponent just 10 times...Golden State begins a five-game road trip in Detroit on Sunday...Utah swept the season series last year, 3-0...Biedrins had 20 rebounds for the fourth time in his career.