Warriors Fall to Monta Ellis and the Bucks

Brandon Jennings’s 18-point fourth quarter, and the Bucks dominance on the board, propelled them to a victory over the Warriors, 109-102.

Jan 26, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) looks to pass the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends during the first quarter at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In the first quarter of this game, the Warriors were determined to beat the Bucks. Especially because they wanted to keep that spot in the fifth seed with the Nuggets catching up (and playing the Kings tonight).

Early on, both teams were able to get on the glass, but were both taking horrible shots. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry were hitting shots and living up to their reputations as the Splash Brothers. They lead 20-13 with four minutes left in the quarter. Down the stretch, the Bucks closed it out well, and were only down 26-23 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, things really started to pick up. Ellis, the former Warrior, wasn’t playing well at all. He found himself shooting 1-of-8 from the field, and a grand total of zero points at the half . They would both make up for it, however. Midway through the quarter, the Warriors were only up 42-38, as both teams played at a back and forth pace. Behind some hot-shooting, the Warriors were able to keep the lead at four, 55-51, at halftime. They only shot five free throws in the half, and were outscored 20-6 in the second chance points department.

The third quarter was dreaded, as usual. The Bucks, more specifically Brandon Jennings, scored 14 points in the first four minutes of the quarter. They started to pull away, and were up 71-65. Behind some terrible Warrior’ defense, the Bucks made their attack and were up 86-74 at the end of the third quarter.

Jan 26, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis (11) drives for the basket as Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) defends during the third quarter at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the fourth, the Warriors had a lot of work to do, trailing by 12. They were getting beat up on the boards, which lead to bunches of second chance points for the Bucks.

The Warriors went on a 5-0 run with under two minutes left in the game. Thompson buried an 18-footer which was followed by a 3-pointer for Jarrett Jack to get the Warriors within two points. Then, on cue, Ellis nailed a three with the shot clock winding down to put his former team on the brink of their second straight loss.

It turned into a free throws game, and the buck went 6-of-6 to win the game.