Ellis learning to take care of the ball

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Let's be honest, Warriors guard Monta Ellis was a turnover machine for a while. He had a run where he produced absolutely frightening numbers when it came to taking care of the ball.During a three-week stretch in November and early December, Ellis had an 11-turnover game, two nine-turnover games and a pair of seven-turnover games.John Stockton, he wasn't.But recently, Ellis has been treating the ball with a little more respect, and he's turned it over just eight times in his past four games."We used him a little differently the last game (San Antonio) and I think went more to his strength," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "I think that's helped. But he is also playing at a very high level. I thought he played his best game &8722; both he and (Corey) Maggette &8722; against San Antonio. And that's hard to say because (Ellis) had some great ones."Assistant coach Keith Smart said the Warriors have taken the ball out of Ellis' hands a little bit more and allowed other players to initiate the offense. Smart also said the Warriors are making a conscientious effort to get Ellis the ball on the weak side of the floor, so that when he goes to the bucket he's not driving against a set defense but one that's moving.Against the Spurs, Ellis had just one turnover in 45 minutes."Truthfully, I'm not getting as many crazy charge calls," Ellis said. "If you go back and look at all the turnovers I had it was never just me turning the ball straight over. It was always something with a charge or guys not catching the ball. That's why coach never said anything about it. The majority of them weren't my fault. It was just trying to making basketball plays and it didn't fall the way it was expected to." Nelson said that he wasn't going to use the same starting lineup tonight against the Wizards that he used Wednesday night against the Spurs.But, of course, Nelson wouldn't say the specific change or changes. Against the Spurs, Nelson went with C.J. Watson, Stephen Curry, Ellis, Corey Maggette and Vladimir Radmanovic.Look for Anthony Morrow or Anthony Randolph to be introduced with the starters against Washington.

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