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Ellis returns as Warriors look to upend Cavs

Jan 23, 2009 - 11:19 AM Cleveland (32-8) at Golden State (13-30) 10:30 p.m. EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors have no illusions about their standing in the NBA. That is not stopping them from trying to improve.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss, the Warriors should get a boost from the return of Monta Ellis when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Following back-to-back wins, Jamal Crawford gave Golden State a one-point lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday with 1.6 seconds left by hitting a floater after a coast-to-coast drive.

With their first three-game win streak of the season in reach, Jeff Green's turnaround bank shot as time expired ended those chances as the Thunder escaped with a 122-121 win.

After falling to 3-2 on their season-high, seven-game homestand, Crawford seemed confident in the Warriors' ability to rebound despite a matchup with the Cavaliers, who are second in the Eastern Conference.

"We had won three out of four coming into (Wednesday) and we lose by one," Crawford said. "We're right there, we've just got to keep plugging away and I'm sure nobody gives us a chance against Cleveland so everybody probably thought we'd win this game so hopefully we can still go get that one and win one out of two."

Another reason for optimism is the return of Ellis, who will make his season debut following a ankle injury and subsequent 30-game-team imposed suspension for violating the terms of his contract.

Ellis has recovered from a torn ligament in his left ankle he suffered in a moped accident over the summer.

Ellis signed a six-year, $66 million extension in the offseason. The Warriors determined he violated his contract when he lied about how he sustained the injury.

The 22-year-old Ellis initially told the Warriors that the injury happened during a pickup basketball game. The team ultimately learned that Ellis was injured while riding the moped.

The suspension ended on December 17, but Ellis wasn't fully recovered until now.

"I'm really happy, excited and looking forward to (Friday)," Ellis said. "We decided as a group today after practice that Friday's game would be a good situation for me."

While beating Cleveland will be difficult, it is certainly not impossible as the Cavaliers have been anything but consistent in splitting their last four games.

After having a three-game win streak halted by the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland bounced back with an impressive 14-point victory against the New Orleans Hornets but failed to keep the momentum going, dropping a 105-88 decision the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

The Cavaliers were in danger of a second straight loss Wednesday, but LeBron James' 34 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds were too much for the Portland Trail Blazers as Cleveland escaped with a 104-98 victory.