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Davis erupts in second half to give Warriors first win

Nov 17, 2007 - 7:14 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Even without a great first half from Baron Davis, the Golden State Warriors finally got a win.

Davis didn't convert a field goal in the first 24 minutes but sparked a second-half run with reserve center Patrick O'Bryant in the third period as the Warriors won for the first time in seven tries this season, 122-105, over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Al Harrington led seven players in double figures with 27 points and Andres Biedrins added a season-high 23 points and a career high-tying 18 rebounds for Golden State, which last started a season with seven losses in 1997-98.

"A great feeling," Harrington said. "Now we've got to build on it. We get Captain Jack back, (Stephen Jackson) and hopefully we start making some moves. One game at a time. It was a good sign, a good win for our fans and a good sign for us. We got that monkey off our back and now hopefully we can start getting wins and playing Warriors' basketball."

Jackson finished serving a seven-game suspension for firing a handgun outside of a Indianapolis strip club last year while with the Pacers.

Davis, who entered averaging 25 points and nine assists, missed all nine shots in the first half but chipped in seven assists as Golden State led, 64-55, at the break.

Los Angeles closed within four midway through the third period, before Davis sank a pair of free throws for a 76-70 lead. O'Bryant then added a hook from the right baseline and Davis a 3-pointer for an 81-72 lead with 4:54 left.

O'Bryant followed a missed free throw by Davis, then jammed home a nice feed from Matt Barnes on the play of the night that provided an 88-76 lead with 3:10 left.

"All I can do is play hard and try and produce for us and help us out when (Andris Biedrins) is sitting on the bench," O'Bryant said. "I guess I did that pretty well. It was extremely fun. We finally got a win, I was a contributing factor and it just makes you feel good to be out there playing when you're out there winning."

The second-year center scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed four rebounds in 12 minutes. Davis scored 16 of his 21 points after intermission and added 12 assists, five blocks and three steals.

"That's what happens when a team is down or guys aren't hitting, you need other guys to step up," Harrington said. "You only need this nine or 10 times out of the season but if you can get this type of production you'll get more wins and have a better season."

Barnes had 17 points and eight assists for Golden State, which held a 64-18 edge in points in the paint.

Tim Thomas scored 25 points, Corey Maggette 22 and Chris Kaman 20 for the Clippers.

"They were just hungry for a win tonight," Thomas said. "They went out and did anything possible to get a win. A lot of their points came in the paint and it was something that definitely hurt us but they just wanted it more than we did."

The Warriors dominated with 64 points in the paint to 18 for the Clippers.

Harrington scored 13 points and Barnes nine as the Warriors took a 36-24 lead after the first period. Biedrins scored 12 points and Barnes five more as Golden state took a 64-55 lead at the half.

Biedrins hauled in 12 rebounds, including four of the Warriors' 11 offensive boards in the half, and the club committed just three turnovers.

"We had to have a good game and it was a really great team effort," Biedrins said. "It was a really great feeling. Everybody was feeling really good and everything started from the defensive end and that's how we got those fast break points."

Maggette carried the Clippers in the first half, hitting on 7-of-10 shots for 17 points.

"They played extremely hard and made some great runs and we had our opportunities to break through," Maggette said. "I pulled my hamstring in the third quarter so I had to sit and it gave them some momentum. They kept pushing and they needed this win. We needed it too but they were a little more hungry than us tonight."