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Warriors rout Wizards, engineer rare winning streak

Jan 20, 2009 - 3:25 AM By Ryan Leong PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- For the first time in over a month, the Golden State Warriors have a winning streak.

Jamal Crawford had 28 points and eight assists and Stephen Jackson added 26 for the Warriors, who cruised to an easy 119-98 win over the lowly Washington Wizards.

"Well, what can I tell you? It was a game we thought we should win and we did," Golden State coach Don Nelson said.

"The coaches were pretty happy with our performance on the defensive end because we finally held somebody below 100. I'm making it very difficult to do that because we are a high-scoring team. But when it happens, it's kind of a special thing for us."

Golden State is in the midst of a season-long, seven-game homestand, having won three of its last four games. The Warriors have won two straight for the first time since December 8-10.

"When I got traded and looked at the games I knew it goes going to be rough with the first 18 of 24 - or whatever it was - were on the road," Crawford said. "We had a rough trip but, with a lot of games left, hopefully we can put something together."

The Warriors took their largest lead of the game at 15 points after a 3-pointer from the baseline by Kelenna Azubuike with 6:13 left.

Anthony Morrow's 3-pointer with 3:30 left made it an 18-point advantage and many happy fans headed for the exits with the outcome of the game decided.

With the exception of a 6-0 run late in the third quarter to cut an 11-point deficit to five, the Wizards never threatened in this one.

"Every time we tried to make a run they responded and our response fell flat," Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott said. "We did not have the discipline to take advantage of prosperous moments and, when they pushed back, we broke down."

The Warriors were able to maintain a lead throughout much of the third quarter.

"I think we settled down and got the ball to the people where things weren't going right," Maggette said. "(Jackson) and Jamal made some big plays, and (Andris Biedrins) made some key layups down the stretch.

"It's about getting the ball in the right people's hands and then being patient, taking your time and scoring the ball."

Golden State took an early 28-23 lead after the first quarter, making 4-of-7 3-pointers.

The Warriors continued their hot shooting in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 12 points with three players having reached double figures at halftime. Golden State took a 60-48 lead at intermission.

"If we all get a good feeling about our game then I think it translates to our defense," Jackson said. "When we start clicking like that, it feels like the last two years with three guys clicking we feel unstoppable.

"When Corey got in the game, he scored every time he got the ball it looked like. I think it gets contagious, everybody turns it up a notch, and that's the only way we are going to win games, when we play at a high level."

Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Andray Blatche each scored 22 points for the Wizards, who have dropped seven of their last eight games.

"It is very disappointing," Blatche said. "It is all about the team and all about getting wins. We just couldn't get the stops that we needed."

Washington has won consecutive games just once this season - from December 27-29 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.