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Jackson helps Warriors keep pace in frantic West race

Thu 27th, March 2008

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Stephen Jackson scored 24 points, as the Golden State Warriors kept pace in the Western Conference playoff race with a 111-95 win over Portland.

Monta Ellis finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Baron Davis had 12 points and seven assists for Golden State, which has won two of three. The Warriors also stayed half a game ahead of Denver for the eighth playoff spot.

Golden State also moved within half a game of Dallas for seventh spot, by virtue of the Nuggets' win over the Mavericks on Thursday.

Steve Blake scored 22 points, and Jarrett Jack chipped in 19 for Portland, which has lost two of three. The Trail Blazers played without guard Brandon Roy, who sat out with a strained groin. However, they got back LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed Portland's last game with an ankle injury. Aldridge finished with 17 points and six assists.

The Blazers held a one-point edge at halftime, but the Warriors blew the game apart with a dominant third quarter. Golden State scored 40 points, with 18 of them coming on foul shots.

The pivotal stretch came near the middle of the stanza, after Jack converted a three-point play to bring the Blazers within 68-64. But the Warriors then went on a 16-4 run, keyed by a pair of free throws from Ellis.

Matt Barnes followed with a three-pointer and pair from the line to give Golden State a double-digit advantage, at 75-64. Later, after an Aldridge jumper drew Portland within 77-68, the Warriors closed the span with seven straight points.

Jackson had four points, all on free throws, and his final two put Golden State ahead 84-68 with 2:59 left.

The Warriors went into the fourth quarter with a 91-72 lead, and held onto the sizable margin for the win.

Portland led 30-22 after the opening quarter, though Golden State charged back in the second. A Kelenna Azubuike three-pointer at the end of the half brought the Warriors within 52-51 going into the intermission.

Game Notes

The Warriors shot 46.4 percent from the floor and made 22-of-26 free throws...The Blazers made 16-of-17 from the line, and shot 40.2 percent overall...Azubuike had 14 points for the Warriors, while Al Harrington had 12, and Andris Biedrins 10...Martell Webster had 14 points for Portland, while James Jones scored 10.

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