<p> The Golden State Warriors staved off a late fourth-quarter challenge to beat New Orleans Hornets 103-96 for a successful home return on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>David Lee had 26 points and nine rebounds while Klay Thompson added 19 points as the Warriors triumphed in their first game at Oracle Arena since a recent seven-game road trip that saw them finish 6-1.<br /><br />Despite the Golden State controlling the Hornets for most of the night, New Orleans made a furious run in the fourth to tie the game 92-92 with about four minutes remaining. Jarrett Jack responded with six free throws during a game-deciding 9-2 stretch to help Golden State (17-8) continue their sparkling start to the season. <br /><br />"We had a lot of confidence tonight, a lot more confidence than in the past," Lee told reporters after the Warriors were off to their best start since the 1991-1992 season when they started 21-8.<br /><br />"It's no fun when a team's catching up on you like that, but I think we had confidence we could make plays down the stretch."<br /><br />One of the younger teams in the league, few expected the Warriors to open the campaign this successfully and they are now just 1-1/2 games behind the Pacific Division lead.<br /><br />The Hornets (5-19) have lost eight straight, despite getting 28 points off the bench from Ryan Anderson in their latest defeat. <br /><br />Also a youthful group, New Orleans have endured a tough start and have now dropped 18 of their last 20 games. <br /><br />Number one overall draft pick Anthony Davis recorded 15 points and 16 rebounds in his fifth game back since missing extensive time with a ankle injury. Greivis Vasquez added 20 and 11 assists. Golden State grabbed a 10-point lead after the first quarter and were up 90-78 midway through the fourth before the visitors fought back by outscoring the Warriors 14-2 over a three-minute stint.<br /><br />"It's just a tough loss for us, especially when you tie it up, you have a chance to win," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "We just haven't found that closing mentality."<br /><br />Results: Washington: 95 lt to Atlanta: 100; Cleveland: 99 lt to Toronto: 113; Brooklyn: 90 lt to Utah: 92; Miami: 103 bt Minnesota: 92; Chicago: 100 bt Boston: 89; Milwaukee: 98 bt Indiana: 93; Dallas: 107 bt Philadelphia: 100; Denver: 112 bt San Antonio: 106; LA Lakers: 101 bt Charlotte: 100; Golden State: 103 bt New Orleans: 96.</p>
<p> The Golden State Warriors staved off a late fourth-quarter challenge to beat New Orleans Hornets 103-96 for a successful home return on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>David Lee had 26 points and nine rebounds while Klay Thompson added 19 points as the Warriors triumphed in their first game at Oracle Arena since a recent seven-game road trip that saw them finish 6-1.<br /><br />Despite the Golden State controlling the Hornets for most of the night, New Orleans made a furious run in the fourth to tie the game 92-92 with about four minutes remaining. Jarrett Jack responded with six free throws during a game-deciding 9-2 stretch to help Golden State (17-8) continue their sparkling start to the season. <br /><br />"We had a lot of confidence tonight, a lot more confidence than in the past," Lee told reporters after the Warriors were off to their best start since the 1991-1992 season when they started 21-8.<br /><br />"It's no fun when a team's catching up on you like that, but I think we had confidence we could make plays down the stretch."<br /><br />One of the younger teams in the league, few expected the Warriors to open the campaign this successfully and they are now just 1-1/2 games behind the Pacific Division lead.<br /><br />The Hornets (5-19) have lost eight straight, despite getting 28 points off the bench from Ryan Anderson in their latest defeat. <br /><br />Also a youthful group, New Orleans have endured a tough start and have now dropped 18 of their last 20 games. <br /><br />Number one overall draft pick Anthony Davis recorded 15 points and 16 rebounds in his fifth game back since missing extensive time with a ankle injury. Greivis Vasquez added 20 and 11 assists. Golden State grabbed a 10-point lead after the first quarter and were up 90-78 midway through the fourth before the visitors fought back by outscoring the Warriors 14-2 over a three-minute stint.<br /><br />"It's just a tough loss for us, especially when you tie it up, you have a chance to win," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "We just haven't found that closing mentality."<br /><br />Results: Washington: 95 lt to Atlanta: 100; Cleveland: 99 lt to Toronto: 113; Brooklyn: 90 lt to Utah: 92; Miami: 103 bt Minnesota: 92; Chicago: 100 bt Boston: 89; Milwaukee: 98 bt Indiana: 93; Dallas: 107 bt Philadelphia: 100; Denver: 112 bt San Antonio: 106; LA Lakers: 101 bt Charlotte: 100; Golden State: 103 bt New Orleans: 96.</p>