OAKLAND — In a playoff type of atmosphere, the new-look Rockets gave the Warriors everything they could handle Thursday, downing Golden State 132-127 in double overtime, and snapping their win streak at 12 games.
Double overtime is what knocked the air out of the Warriors, but the Rockets deserved this win. Steph Curry and Draymond Green fouled out, Kevin Durant didn’t score and Houston continued their offensive wizardry led by James Harden (29 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) and Ryan Anderson (29 points on 5/10 from three).
“We did not play well,” Kerr said. “We had our moments. But we let it slip it away when we had an opportunity. They deserved to win. They outplayed us.”
Durant should be commended for tying a season-high with 39 points. It was at times a riveting effort that made the Warriors feel like his team. He made all 12 of his free throw attempts and Steve Kerr was drawing up isolation plays for KD to try and win the game.
The Rockets took a 123-121 lead with 45 seconds left in overtime after Sam Dekker finished a tough layup underneath. But Klay Thompson drained a baseline jumper to tie the score back up 123. Green stole an inbounds pass with three seconds remaining, but Durant missed a baseline jumper which forced a second OT.
The final four minutes of regulation were a Wild West shootout that lifted the Oracle Arena crowd to its feet. Armed with three-point shooting big men Dekker and Anderson (7/13 combined from deep), Houston kept answering every time Golden State rung the bell. Harden eventually missed a three-pointer from the top of the key as the fourth quarter expired.
Durant was really the only Warrior keeping the team afloat until the team awoke late in the fourth quarter. The Rockets controlled second chance points (20-11), and bench scoring (48 to 23).
A bizarre and chippy second quarter saw four straight questionable calls go against the Warriors, which caused Kerr to erupt for a technical foul; Green also picked up his third technical of the year. The Rockets took a 64-59 lead into the locker room, despite 19 first half points from Durant.
Klay Thompson battled a cold shooting hand all night (15 points on 4/20 shooting). Green finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Steph Curry was quiet for portions of the night but ended up with 28 points on 4/13 from downtown and one circus layup.
The Warriors (16-3) return home Sunday for their third matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
