Bogut returns to steer Warriors past Raptors
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 30, 2013
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Toronto Raptors' John Lucas (left) is guarded by Golden State Warriors' Andrew Bogut during the first half of their NBA game in Toronto on Monday. |
Australian big man Andrew Bogut played his first National Basketball Association game in nearly three months, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds for the Golden State Warriors in a 114-102 victory at Toronto on Monday.
Bogut, who started and also blocked four shots and made a steal in 23 minutes on the court, had not played since November 7, missing 38 games in order to allow his surgically repaired left ankle time to strengthen.
"It has been a long season for me so far, a frustrating season mentally and physically," Bogut said. "Just to be out there running up and down the court again, especially getting a win, it was very satisfying."
The seven-foot Australian center, who was the top pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, was traded from Milwaukee to the Warriors last March and only one month later underwent microfracture surgery on his left ankle.
Bogut played in four of the Warriors' first five games this season, averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds before taking a break to help his ankle heal.
To work him back slowly, Bogut will play no more than 25 minutes a game for now.
Bogut will not play in back-to-back games for the Warriors until after next month's break for the NBA All-Star Game, meaning he will return to the bench for Golden State's game at Cleveland today.
In his prior 412 NBA appearances, Bogut had averaged 12.6 points and 9.3 rebounds a game.
Elsewhere, it was: Grizzlies 103, 76ers 100; Kings 96, Wizards 94; Nets 97, Magic 77; Bulls 93, Bobcats 85; Nuggets 102, Pacers 101; and Rockets 125, Jazz 80.
In Toronto, Bogut was among six double-digit scorers for the Warriors, who were led by forward David Lee's 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Golden State improved to 27-17, fifth in the Western Conference, while the Raptors, led by 22 points from Aaron Gray, fell to 16-29, 11th in the Eastern Conference.
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