Warriors should be better

On Tuesday, the new-look Philadelphia 76ers start a seven-game road trip as they visit the Warriors tonight at ORACLE Arena. It is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Sixers are scheduled to host Golden State on February 2, 2007 at the Wachovia Center.

The Sixers and Golden State have split the last eight contests in Oakland. The Warriors have won two of three and five of the last eight meetings in the series.

Golden State tries to get back on the winning track as it opens a short two- game homestand against the Sixers. Jason Kapono came up huge off the bench for Miami, scoring a career-high 27 points to lead the Heat to a 105-92 win over the Warriors at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Matt Barnes had 20 points, 12 boards and five assists in the loss to Miami for the Warriors, who ended a six-game road trip with a 2-4 record. Golden State suffered an even bigger loss in the third quarter, losing Monta Ellis to a right shoulder injury.

Ellis, who is averaging 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game this season, is expected to miss Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia.

The Warriors are 11-5 at home this season. They will host the Boston Celtics on Friday. It is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 20th, Baron Davis scored 31 points and dished out eight assists to lead Golden State over Boston, 96-95, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Davis, who is a two-time All-Star, leads the Warriors in scoring (21.3 ppg) and assists (8.3 apg), while Andris Biedrins is averaging a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game.

Boston has lost two straight after winning its last two at Golden State.

Golden State is 7-14 when it allows more than points this season.