Basketball: Warriors defeat Nets, stop losing streak

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Monta Ellis scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, and the Golden State Warriors beat the New Jersey Nets 105-89 Wednesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Reserve C.J. Watson also scored 18 and former Nets center Mikki Moore had 16 on a series of dunks for the Warriors, who improved to 1-1 on a five-game trip they are playing without coach Don Nelson, who is recovering from pneumonia.

Brook Lopez had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who were bidding for wins on consecutive nights after winning just once in their first 20 games. Devin Harris added 19 points but shot only 4 of 11, while Courtney Lee scored 15.

In a matchup of the NBA's worst offensive and defensive teams, the Nets couldn't sustain their strong start and managed only 62 points over the final three quarters while committing 22 turnovers that led to 30 points.

Ellis was only 1 of 10 in the first half, but had a pair of baskets in a 16-6 run to start the third quarter that extended Golden State's 10-point halftime lead to 74-54 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the period. The Warriors cooled off, allowing the Nets to chip away and cut it to 81-70 heading to the fourth.

New Jersey was within five midway through the final period before Ellis knocked down a jumper and made a layup on consecutive possessions, making it 94-85 and Golden State cruised from there.

Harris was forced to leave early in the first quarter after being accidentally poked in the left eye by Moore, but returned to make the signature play in New Jersey's strong first quarter. He ran down C.J. Watson to block a shot from behind, then got up to step in front of Ellis and draw a charge.

The Nets led 27-20 after one but played a sloppy second quarter - particularly disheartening for them since coach Kiki Vandeweghe noted before the game Golden State led the NBA in points off turnovers.

New Jersey turned it over seven times in the second, leading to 10 points, and the Warriors outscored the Nets 38-21 to take a 58-48 halftime lead. Watson was 7 of 8 for 15 points in the quarter.