Ellis leads Warriors over Celtics, 103-99

The Boston Celtics lost their second straight West Coast road game, falling 103-99 to the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland.

Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis went back-and-forth all night, attacking each other on almost every possession, Rondo netting 30 points and 15 assists and Ellis countering with 37 points. In the end, however, Boston was unable to overcome 25 turnovers, and a poor night of outside shooting.

Ray Allen scored 24 points, but he shot only 1-7 from 3's, while the team combined to shoot 5-19.

Boston jumped out to a 13-point lead after the first quarter, but sloppy ball-handling and a defensive surge from C.J. Watson, who finished with 7 steals (6 in 1st half), allowed the Warriors to work their way back into the game.

With Watson playing so well, heralded rookie Stephen Curry only played 10 minutes and went scoreless, leaving the showdown with Rondo for his backcourt mate, Ellis.

Ellis was supported offensively by Anthony Randolph (18 points, 9 rebounds) and Anthony Morrow (13 points, 6 rebounds, who controlled the pace and flow of the game after a slow first quarter.

A depleted Celtics bench, who continued to miss both Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels, was severely outplayed by an energetic Warrior bench and probably cost the team the win. The Warrior bench outscored the Celtics bench 35-15 for the game, including a stretch in the second quarter which brought the Warriors back into the game.

Recently activated Glen Davis played poorly, committing 4 turnovers in only 10 minutes, before leaving the game with a mild sprained ankle. Also, according to the great Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston, Rondo injured his hamstring early in the game, but convinced Doc and the doctors to remain in the game.

With Pierce, Daniels, and Glen Davis (again) out, the last player the Celtics can afford to lose is Rajon Rondo.