Ellis and Curry lead Warriors past Cavs

Photo by: Mark Duncan

AP

Photo

Cleveland Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins (5) dunks on Golden State Warriors' Al Thornton (23) in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in Cleveland.

Photo by: Mark Duncan

AP

Photo

Cleveland Cavaliers' Baron Davis (85) defends Golden State Warriors' Acie Law in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in Cleveland.

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Monta Ellis made a career-high six 3-pointers — all in the second half — and scored 24 points, and Stephen Curry added 23 points, sending the Golden State Warriors to a 95-85 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

Ellis made all 5 of his 3-point attempts and scored 17 in the third quarter as the Warriors won for the second time in eight games.

David Lee added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Golden State.

Baron Davis scored 19 in his second home game for the Cavs, who were powerless to stop Ellis once he warmed up from outside.

Cleveland’s J.J. Hickson dislocated his left little finger in the fourth while trying to catch a pass. Hickson grabbed and clutched his hand in pain, and after play was stopped, he sprinted past Cleveland’s trainer and ran directly to the Cavs’ locker room. He returned a few minutes later with his fingers taped together but did not return to the game.

By then, Ellis and Curry had shot the Warriors to a double-digit lead.

Golden State’s backcourt was too much for Cleveland’s guards to handle. When the Cavs did prevent Ellis from getting off a shot, the Warriors simply swung the ball to Curry, who has scored more than 20 points in five of his past six games.

The duo combined for 25 of Golden State’s 29 points in the third quarter. Overall, they teamed up for 47 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.

Held to 4 points in the first half, Ellis found his range in the third.

He made his five 3s from a variety of spots — his other bucket in the period was a layup — as the Warriors, who trailed by 12 in the first quarter, opened a 76-65 lead entering the fourth. It didn’t matter if the Cavs were up in his face, Ellis was in one of those shooter’s zones when the basket seemed a mile wide.

Ellis dropped four 3s in the final 4:45 and scored Golden State’s last 14 points of the third. He got some help from his running mate Curry, who scored eight in the period.

Curry started slowly. He missed his only shot in the first quarter, but banged down a pair of 3s and scored 10 in the second, when the Warriors outscored the Cavs 29-16 to take a 47-46 halftime lead.