Monta Ellis erupts as the Golden State Warriors squeak past the Houston Rockets
After almost ending his NBA career because of on and off the court troubles, Monta Ellis’ journey to stardom took another leap when he led Golden State Warriors to a season-opening win over
the Houston Rockets, 131-128, Wednesday in Oakland.
The 25-year old guard erupted for 46 points, matching his career-high, on 18-for-24 shooting from the floor, giving Golden State Warriors' new head coach Keith Smart a victory in his NBA
coaching debut.
"I'm in a good mindset," Ellis said. "I ain't got no worries, no complaints. Everything is positive, so me, I have to be a positive, be a leader and lead these guys in the right direction."
Ellis, whose 46 points are third-highest by a Warriors player in a season-opener behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 48 in 1961 and 56 in the 1956, proved that he’s ready to lead the team when he hit
big shots down the stretch for the Warriors.
"This young man made a complete turnaround in his life, and once your life is in order, things start to work perfectly for you," Smart said. "The guy has been ready to play since the summer
and carried that over when he came into town early."
Stephen Curry also had a share of the spotlight as he scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists, while David Lee, who was acquired by Golden State from New York during the off-season, racked
up 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Warriors, who snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Rockets.
Argentinean power forward, Luis Scola, picked off from where he left off in the season-opener against the Lakers, as he finished the game with 36 points and 16 rebounds, highlighted by a
19-point explosion in the first half that gave Houston a one-point lead at the break.
However, the Warriors started to pull away in the third period when Ellis and Curry took charge and gave the Warriors a 100-93 lead, and held on to their lead in final period to bag their
first win in a season-opener since the 2005-06 season.
"It was just a poor defensive effort," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We scored 128 points and we lose. We have to figure out a way to shore that up."
The 7ft 6in centre, Yao, who will be limited to just 24 minutes each game, missed their game against the Warriors after the Rockets decided to sit him out in back-to-back games to avoid another
career-threatening injury.
Chuck Hayes took over the starting centre spot, and the hard-nosed forward tallied 16 points and eight rebounds, but it was not enough to give the Rockets their first win of the season after
losing against the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-110, on Tuesday.
Tags: