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Huge third quarter allows Warriors to rout Bucks

Jan 20, 2008 - 5:37 AM By J.R. Radcliffe PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Bucks are all too happy to conclude their season series with the Golden State Warriors.

Al Harrington scored 11 of his 27 points during a huge third quarter to lead six players in double figures as the Warriors completed a season sweep of the Bucks with a 119-99 victory on Saturday.

Milwaukee suffered its worst loss of the season on December 5 - a 120-90 blowout loss to Golden State. That game was also the largest margin of victory this season for the Warriors, who placed six players in double-figure scoring in that contest as well.

Perhaps inadvertently trying to even things up, the Warriors offered the Bucks an advantage before the game even started.

Golden State part-time starting forward Matt Barnes was ruled inactive after being erroneously omitted from the team's active list by assistant coach Keith Smart.

Missing Barnes, who averages more than 23.0 minutes, Warriors coach Don Nelson was left without a key part of his matchup-based scheme.

"I didnt know what to expect, to be quite honest with you," Nelson said of his team, which has gone 4-1 during a five-game stretch over the last seven days. "I didn't think we'd have much energy. And then I don't have Matt Barnes, I'm thinking, 'Whoa, some of these guys are going to have to play when they get a chance,' and they did."

Holding just a 53-52 lead at halftime, Golden State went on a quick 10-0 run behind eight points from Harrington, leading to a 41-22 advantage in the period.

"A couple of my shots were contested, but my job is to make threes for this team," said Harrington, who finished 5-of-10 from the arc. "I just shot the ball with confidence, and the ball went in for me tonight. I did a better job of following the gameplan in the second half and found open spots in the defense."

With less than a minute remaining in the third, Harrington and Baron Davis each hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to boost Golden State's lead to 18 at 92-74, and Kelenna Azubuike added a pair of free throws in the final seconds to increase the advantage to 20.

"We were playing at a pace that we wanted in the first half, but we knew that we could play a little faster, and I think that's what we were able to do," Davis said. "Our bench has played well the last five or six ballgames."

The Warriors also forced the Bucks into nine turnovers during the pivotal third period.

"I don't know if the offense is too complicated or if we're asking guys to make passes ... some of the credit goes to (Golden State)," Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "They do lead the league in forcing turnovers. We need to improve our passing, for sure."

Andris Biedrins scored 20 points and Davis added 19 for Golden State, which improved to 14-10 on the road this season.

"For me, it was tough because I was helping on those ball screens, and Biedrins does a great job of getting down to the basket," Bucks center Andrew Bogut said. "He had all layups tonight."

Michael Redd scored 24 points and Bogut recorded his fifth straight double-double with 21 and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

The Bucks honored former player Sidney Moncrief before the game, re-dedicating his retired jersey as part of the team's 40th anniversary celebration.

Now a shooting coach with the Warriors, Moncrief observed his charges deliver a 23-for-25 performance from the free-throw line and 54 percent (43-for-79) shooting effort from the floor.