Curry, Warriors hold off Rockets
HOUSTON -- Stephen Curry scored a game-high 32 points while Draymond Green did a little of everything to help the Golden State Warriors to a 113-106 victory over the stubborn Houston Rockets on Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
Curry drilled a 3-pointer with 1:46 left to rebuild a double-digit lead for the Warriors (60-14), who stretched their winning streak to eight games. Green finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals. He added a challenge of a layup attempt by Rockets guard James Harden and a critical offensive rebound down the stretch as Houston tried repeatedly to make it a one-possession game.
Klay Thompson added 25 points for the Warriors, who will host the Rockets (51-23) on Friday looking to claim the season series.
Harden recorded his 20th triple-double on the season, producing 24 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. But Harden shot just 5 of 20 from the field, including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers, and committed six turnovers.
Clint Capela contributed 21 points and seven rebounds for Houston.
After shooting 20 for 39 from behind the arc against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, the Rockets finished 5 of 31 from deep. They supplemented their offense by making 35 of 39 free throws.
The Warriors put on a clinic in the first quarter, blitzing Houston with off-ball movement on offense and beating the Rockets' pick-and-roll offense to the punch defensively. Golden State shot 69.6 percent (16 of 23) in the opening frame, tallying 20 points on the paint on a variety of back cuts for layups while also drilling 5 of 10 3-pointers in producing a 37-point period.
Defensively, the Warriors limited Houston to 8-of-24 shooting and stretched their 17-point lead entering the second quarter to 49-22 on a layup by Ian Clark with 7:18 left in the half. The Rockets never found their shot, and while they abandoned the 3-pointer -- they attempted just three in the second, all misses -- the Rockets shot 18 free throws, making 16 to cut the deficit to 60-52 at the half.
That pattern continued in the third quarter, with Houston shooting 10 of 11 at the line to remain in striking distance. But the Warriors dug in defensively and held the Rockets without a basket over the final seven minutes of the third, scoring the final six points of the period to reclaim their double-digit lead.
NOTES: The Warriors will issue an official update on All-Star F Kevin Durant on Wednesday. Durant has missed his 14th consecutive game with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee sustained on Feb. 28. ... Rockets F Montrezl Harrell was not with the team. His girlfriend is expecting. ... The Warriors extended their regular-season winning streak in Houston to six games.