12-27-2019, 08:23 AM
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors have created space behind them in the crowded Western Conference standings and are showing no signs of slowing down their surge up the standings. Jordan Crawford scored 19 points, Andrew Bogut had 15 points and 10 rebounds and the Warriors routed the Dallas Mavericks 108-85 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight win. Golden State (41-24) is sixth in the West, three games ahead of Dallas (38-27) and Memphis (37-26). The Warriors also are four games behind the Clippers (45-20) in the Pacific Division, with the final meeting between the teams this season looming large in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. "Its a big-time win for us," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "If you lose this game, then all of the sudden theres three teams again within striking distance. I think this gave us some breathing room, especially with the fact that we have a big game (Wednesday) night against a red-hot Clippers team." Former Warriors fan favourite Monta Ellis scored 15 points, and Dirk Nowitzki had 12 points and six rebounds in a disappointing display by Dallas. The Warriors outshot the Mavericks 51.2 per cent to 36.6 per cent and outrebounded Dallas 46-40 en route to building a 24-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Dallas and Golden State both have 17 games remaining. "I dont think we are in a situation to think about seeding," said Mavericks guard Jose Calderon, who had 13 points and five assists. "I think right now were in a situation where weve got to win every game." The Warriors, who finished 47-35 last year to earn the conferences sixth playoff seed, are aiming higher this time. The Warriors are 10-2 since the All-Star break and a season-high 17 games over .500. After winning 10 consecutive games earlier this season, Golden State is gaining steam again. In the latest matchup pivotal for playoff positioning, the Warriors shook off a slow start by clamping down on defence and pushing the pace. The Warriors ended the first quarter on a 21-6 run capped by Crawfords long jumper as time expired to take a 29-22 lead. But the backup guard was just beginning his sizzling stretch -- and so were the Warriors. Crawford scored 12 points alone in the second quarter, finishing with the most points hes scored since coming to Golden State in a trade from Boston in January. The Warriors reserves outscored Dallas bench 59 to 37. "Its fun," Crawford said. "To be on a streak like this heading into the playoffs and to move up the standings, it brings the competitive spirit out in everybody." The starters showed up with big plays, too. During one sequence, Andre Iguodala blocked Shawn Marions layup, then ran the length of the court to dunk Stephen Currys missed 3-pointer, sending most in the announced sellout crowd of 19,596 roaring to their feet. Bogut also finished an alley-hoop with one hand over Ellis, the player he was traded for from Milwaukee in March 2012. The Mavericks still managed to end the half with some momentum. Nowitzki made two free throws before Vince Carter stole Iguodalas inbounds pass and hit a 3-pointer before the buzzer sounded to slice Golden States lead to 55-44 at the break. Nowitzki later moved into a tie with John Havlicek for 12th place on the NBAs career scoring list. Both have 26,395 points. The Warriors defence dominated Dallas for most of the third and fourth quarters, though, smothering Nowitzki and closing out fast on shooters. The Warriors went ahead 81-57 with 11:29 remaining and never let the Mavericks move much closer. Golden State improved to 2-1 against Dallas this season, with each team winning on its home floor. They meet for the final time this season on April 1 in Dallas. "As far as the seeding," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said, "thats a distraction from the task at hand, which is making sure were as ready as we can be." NOTES: Curry, who is dealing with a strained right quadriceps thats limiting his playing time, had 10 points and four assists in 22 minutes. ... Mavericks backup guard Devin Harris left in the second quarter with a sore right Achilles tendon and did not return. Harris said he doesnt think the injury is serious but isnt sure if hell play Wednesday night at Utah. ... Mavericks F Jae Crowder, who strained his abdominal muscle in a win over Indiana on Sunday, is not expected to rejoin the team until at least Sunday at Oklahoma City. Fake Pelicans Jerseys . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. Stitched Pelicans Jerseys . Now comes an off-season of questions about manager Matt Williams decisions and a handful of key roster choices, including what to do about Ryan Zimmerman, whether to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond to long-term deals, and how to upgrade an offence that fell flat in October. https://www.cheappelicans.com/ . Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). Gaurav Shastri - A tribute to the amazing fan base who stand outside during games at "Jurassic Park" and an unbelievable shot of Paul Pierce fearing a Raptor. New Orleans Pelicans Gear . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Pelicans Jerseys China . Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win.CHICAGO -- White Sox rookie Jose Abreu just keeps slugging, regardless of the pedigree of the pitcher hes facing. Abreu hit his 20th homer and Adam Dunn added a three-run shot as Chicago beat San Francisco 7-6 on Wednesday, handing the Giants their fifth straight loss. Abreu reached 20 homers in his 58th game, the third fewest in major league history behind Wally Berger (51 games) and Mark McGwire (56 games). The Cuban first baseman lined an 0-2 offspeed pitch from three-time All-Star Tim Hudson deep into the left-field bullpen for a two-run homer in the first inning . Hes also homered off Cy Young winners David Price, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander so far this year. "Were happy with what hes doing," manager Robin Ventura said. "Hes getting some hits and important RBIs against some great pitchers, so thats a good sign." Abreu didnt know his 20th homer moved him into elite company. "I wasnt aware of this happening, but its a great thing and I welcome it," the 27-year-old said through a translator. "Im just going to continue to help the team win, and thats what its all about right now." White Sox ace Chris Sale (6-1) laboured, giving up three runs and eight hits through six-plus innings. The left-hander allowed 11 baserunners and at least one in all but one inning, but he walked only one and struck out seven. "I was good, but my fastball command was a little shaky," Sale said. "I really had to battle through it." "Obviously, you know youve got your hands full with Hudson on the other side over there. Hes been nothing short of dominant all year," he said. Hudson (7-3) struggled in his shortest start of the year, permitting seven runs and 12 hits in 4 2-3 innings. He entered the game with an MLB-leading 1.81 ERA. "You score six runs on a day I pitch, we should win these games," Hudson said "For me, thats the frustrating part." "Giving up seven runs with a pitcher like they pput out there in Sale, thats a tough hole to put those guys in.dddddddddddd" Ronald Belisario pitched the final 1 2-3 innings to earn his seventh save. San Francisco has allowed 35 runs in its last five games, and 53 in losing eight of its last nine. "You get the hitting, the pitchers, they have their moments," manager Bruce Bochy said "Thats what really puts you in a losing streak, but the only way you get out of it, hey, you focus forward and keep going hard." Tyler Flowers singled up the middle with the bases loaded in the fourth to drive in two runs and extend Chicagos lead to 4-0. The Giants cut it to 4-2 in the fifth when Buster Posey singled in a run and Pablo Sandoval hit a sacrifice fly. Dunns homer to right against Hudson with none out in the bottom of the inning put Chicago up 7-2. Sale was replaced by Jake Petricka with none out in the seventh after Juan Perez singled and Gregor Blanco walked. The Giants loaded the bases, but got only one run, on Poseys sacrifice fly to make it 7-3. Blanco doubled in a run and Hunter Pence drove in another with a grounder off Zach Putnam. The Giants added their final run in the ninth on Tyler Colvins sacrifice fly. NOTES: Dunns homer was his 452nd, tying him for 35th with Carl Yastrzemski. ... Sale made his first career start against San Francisco. He hit two batters in the game after hitting only one all season. ... The game started 12 minutes late because of rain. ... Giants OF Angel Pagan (lower back) was out of the lineup for a third straight game and is listed as day-to-day. ... Posey was back behind the plate. He was at DH on Tuesday night after taking a foul off mask on Sunday. ... The White Sox open an 11-game road trip on Thursday night at Minnesota. Chicagos Jose Quintana (3-7) is scheduled to face Minnesotas Yohan Pino, who will make his MLB debut. ... The Giants next game is at Arizona on Friday. Tim Lincecum (5-4) will face Josh Collmenter (4-4). ' ' '