Golden State had divvied up ballhandling duties between Ellis and Crawford in their first game together Wednesday, and the resulting lack of cohesion - and ball movement - helped prompt Nelson's change.

"Jamal's more used to what we're doing, and it'll just let Monta be a scorer, come off screens," said Nelson, who has talked about converting Ellis into a point guard for more than a year.

"It's a little different when you have to initiate - that guy's got to move the ball. Monta's a shoot-first guy and he's had success doing that. You don't expect he's going to change it."

Ankle alert: For the first time since returning from injuring his left ankle, Ellis had a minor flare-up.

"The ankle got a little stiff at halftime, but he played through it," Nelson said.

Ellis, who was also playing with a sore left knee, insisted after the game that he was feeling fine all around.

Courting Cuban: Nelson said his mediation hearing with Mavs owner Mark Cuban in Dallas on Thursday was uneventful, and not just because Cuban failed to show up in person.

"They tried to get us to settle, but I already won. Why would I settle?" said Nelson, who was awarded more than $6 million in arbitration over his compensation when he coached the Mavericks in proceedings last summer.

Cuban, who participated by phone, has appealed the ruling. Nelson said the case will be sent to an appellate court.

Warriors today Warriors 15-32 vs. Rockets 28-19 Houston 5:30 p.m. CSNBA/680Tracy McGrady will be a game-time decision after turning his ankle in Friday's practice, one day after McGrady, Yao Ming and Ron Artest all played for the first time since Jan. 2. The Rockets lost 95-93 to the Sixers 10-2 in their last 12 after going 7-5 at less than full strength. ... Houston has lost two straight and three of its last four. ... Yao 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds will be the Rockets' lone All-Star.- Janny HuWarriors today NUMBERS GAME 9-0 Hornets' run to end the first quarter

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