Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007

Warriors ride Davis to win over Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Baron Davis made sure Joey Crawford wouldn't have any say-so over how Friday night ended at the Verizon Center.

In the same building where the Warriors felt -- not entirely without justification -- robbed of a victory by the refereeing crew some eight months ago, Davis uncorked his best performance since he engineered the NBA's greatest first-round postseason upset in April and May.

Setting new season highs in points (33), assists (15) and rebounds (11), Davis authored his seventh career triple-double to push the Warriors past the Washington Wizards 123-115.

Davis trumped the first triple-double from Washington forward Caron Butler (26 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and washed away any memories of March 4, when a debatable foul call on Mickael Pietrus followed by a technical foul on Don Nelson with no time on the clock gave the Wizards and Gilbert Arenas a chance to steal a 107-106 win.

Arenas was not on hand Friday, having torn the cartilage in his left knee for a second time this year. But Davis provided more than enough star power for the sellout crowd of 20,173. He had 22 points, eight boards and six assists in the first half to keep the Warriors in it, then accounted for nine points and five assists in the final nine minutes to put away a pesky Wizards team that was led by Antawn Jamison's 30 points.

"I think (Davis) is responsible for like 80 points," Warriors forward Al Harrington said. "If he don't play that way, we don't win. Point-blank, period."

Davis and Stephen Jackson (28 points, six rebounds) brought to an end the Wizards' six-game winning streak and ensured that the Warriors (4-7) will post a winning record on a trip of five or more games for the first time in 38 such journeys.

If Golden State can muster the strength tonight to label a 76ers team that's lost six of its last seven, it would cap the franchise's first 4-1 road trip since November 1973. Rick Barry, Nate Thurmond and current Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett helped that squad beat the Bucks, Hawks, 76ers and Knicks before losing to the Bulls.

"We're happy that we came out with a victory," said Davis, who most recent triple-double came in last season's finale at Portland on April 18. "We want to continue this momentum to Philly and carry it all the way home."

Friday marked the first time two NBA players had recorded triple-doubles in the same game since Tracy McGrady and Jason Kidd did so for the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets, respectively, on Feb. 23, 2003.

"I expect (Davis) to play like that," Jackson said. "I don't know how people don't see that. His presence on the floor is just as dominant as any other player in this league."