National Basketball Association

Ellis scores 45 as Warriors thump Pacers

Published Dec. 1, 2009 8:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

Forget the offensive show put on by Monta Ellis, what impressed Golden State Warriors interim coach Keith Smart most was how his guard played without the ball.

Ellis scored a career-high 45 points and also kept his teammates involved in the offense as the injury-riddled Warriors beat the Indiana Pacers 126-107 on Monday night.

"He's starting to know how to not be the focal point," Smart said. "Step out of it for a while, let your teammates play a little bit, then get away from the play and the ball will find you. That's what leaders do. Be the focal point when it's needed. We needed a great burst in the third quarter and he provided that."

Ellis went 15 of 27 from the floor, made 14 of 16 free throws and added five rebounds and five steals in topping his previous best of 42 points while leading Golden State (6-10) back from a 15-point deficit in the first half to win for just the third time in eight games.