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Ellis helps Warriors get past Bulls

Dec 27, 2011 - 7:49 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Monta Ellis netted a game-high 26 points, and the Warriors caught the Bulls off a Christmas hangover to come away with a 99-91 decision, giving Mark Jackson his first win as a head coach.

Stephen Curry chipped in 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, but limped off in the fourth quarter after aggravating an ankle injury.

Curry had just four points during Sunday's loss to the Clippers, but Golden State bounced back by forcing 20 Chicago turnovers

"You have to take care of the ball. You have to eliminate all of the ways in which you beat yourself first," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Derrick Rose beat the Lakers on Sunday with a game-winner in the closing seconds, but shot just 4-of-17 from the floor in Monday's 13-point effort.

Luol Deng tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in Chicago's second of four straight games in California to open the season.

Ellis' 13-point first quarter sparked the Warriors to a 30-22 lead after 12 minutes, and his backcourt mate, Curry, went off for 15 points in the second to keep the hosts in front.

The margin reached as high as 19 following Curry's personal 7-0 run, which gave Golden State a 46-27 advantage with 7:14 left in the opening half.

The sluggish Bulls trailed 57-41 at the break and 78-61 heading to the fourth, and finally cut their deficit to single digits with a 9-2 run in the final stanza.

Deng's three-pointer pulled Chicago within 91-83 with 4:25 remaining, but Golden State kept it a three-possession game until the final minute and hit enough free throws down the stretch to come away victorious.

"I've dreamt of this moment," Jackson said of his first win. "I'm extremely proud of our group. This win is really theirs."

Game Notes

Rose had eight assists...C.J. Watson and Kyle Korver finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Chicago, which has two days off before another back- to-back against the Kings and Clippers...Golden State hosts the Knicks on Wednesday...David Lee totaled 22 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors.