Bay Area Sports Blogging

The game against the Suns on Monday was a game to remember. The Warriors started a small-ball lineup similar to the one that compiled a 16-5 record at the end of last season. They came out of the gates firing on all cylinders draining shot after shot, pretty much running the Suns right out of the building to a score of 129-114. The most impressive part of the win was the distinct lack of a prolonged cold period. When Baron needed a breather, Jackson stepped right in to keep the momentum going. When Jackson took a back seat, Monta took over and collected 15 straight points in the 4th quarter.

For the stat junkies out there, Baron almost missed another triple double by 4 rebounds. He compiled a stat line of 28 pts, 10 asts, 6 boards. Jackson lead the team with 32 pts, 8 rebs, 1 ast. And Ellis rounded out the trio with 31 pts, 4 asts, 3 rebs.

These three provided the scoring punch, but Matt Barnes provided the glue. Barnes played an all-around game that day with 8 pts, 7 asts, 7 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk. It has been tough for Barnes lately with his mother battling cancer. Unfortunately, she lost the battle and passed away early Tuesday morning. The team as well as Warriors' fans will give Matt as much support as he needs during this difficult time.

Tonight's game:

Starting lineup: Davis, Ellis, Azubuike, Jackson, Harrington
Bench: Pietrus, Biedrins, Belinelli, Croshere, Wright, Mbenga, Barnes
Inactive: Perovic (dleague), Hudson (inj), O'Bryant (inactive)

Starting lineup: Udrih, Martin, Artest, Moore, Miller
Bench: Salmons, Garcia, Douby, Thomas, Hawes, Abdur-Rahim, Watkins, Williams
Inactive: Bibby (inj)

Do not foul. And if fouls do occur, please, please not be touch fouls. The Kings, especially Kevin Martin, lives off fouls--averaging almost 8 FTM per game.

The Kings are a year older and a year slower, so the Warriors should be able to run them out of the building. But after a victory over the Suns, the game against the Kings is a classic letdown trap. Kings over Warriors, 99-95.