• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Jackson, Ellis handle lowly Clippers

Mar 20, 2008 - 5:59 AM By Jonathan Raber PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Stephen Jackson scored 29 points to lead a balanced attack as the Golden State Warriors posted a 116-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

The win also helped Golden State (42-25) pad its lead to 2 1/2 games over Denver (40-28) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference.

"It was a huge win considering Denver lost - we got another game up on them," Warriors guard Baron Davis said. "We want to keep pushing. We have to come out with a better resolve. We just have to realize we are in the playoffs and start playing better in games."

"We don't want to let the season go to waste by not making the playoffs," Jackson said.

"This stretch is going to make or break our season. I think everybody's put that in their mind that if we go out and play well, we can have a cushion at the end of the season. I don't want to play at the end of the season to get into the playoffs."

Monta Ellis scored 28 points and Mickael Pietrus added 13 and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who have captured nine of their last 13 games overall.

While Golden State prepares for another possible deep postseason run, the Clippers continued their injury-plagued campaign as they dropped their fifth consecutive game.

The Warriors relied on the scoring efforts of Jackson in the first quarter as the 6-8 swingman poured in 16 points to help create a 37-26 cushion.

Ellis and Kelenna Azubuike carried the load in the second as the duo combined for 16 points to push Golden State's lead to 64-46 at intermission.

The Clippers were never able to regroup, ending their seven-game home winning streak in the series.

First-rounder Al Thornton collected 24 points and 13 boards and Corey Maggette 21 netted for the Clippers, who shot 45 percent (35-of-77) from the floor.

"We want to finish strong because going into next year, we will get players back," Thornton said. "We know we can't get into the playoffs, but we want to build and go into next season strong."