Rockets end Warriors’ road win streak.
HOUSTON — The Warriors are a daunting matchup because, while most NBA teams hope to have two elite scorers, they have three of the game’s best shooters.
It is the ultimate luxury: Because if Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant have an off shooting night, odds are the other two will shoulder heavier loads with ease. But in Golden State’s 116-108 loss Saturday night to the Rockets at Toyota Center, Curry and Thompson both labored, an overwhelming setback against a team that may be the Warriors’ biggest
Western Conference threat.
Three days after totaling 68 points in a win at Chicago, the Splash Brothers shot a combined 9-for-31 (29 percent) from the field as Golden State’s franchise-record-tying road winning streak ended at 14 games. Late in the game, a time in which Curry and Thompson normally thrive, featured uncharacteristic miscues from the pair.
In a 48-second span with the game hanging in the balance, Thompson missed a 14-foot jumper and two wide-
open three-point attempts. With 1:10 left, James Harden stopped along the arc, crossed the ball to his right, stutterstepped to create distance from Curry and drilled a three-pointer to send a capacity crowd of 18,055 into an uproar. Moments later, Curry spotted up from 27 feet, only to have his shot blocked by Harden.
“We know those guys can get hot at any point, and we know and expect them to push us over the top and make a run or try to cut into the lead,” Durant said. “They always come through for us when we need it, and some nights it’s just not going to happen.”
The Warriors are on pace to finish a season with a better record on the road than at home for the first time in history because away games, with their hostile fans and unfamiliar surroundings, are an antidote to their biggest ill: a tendency to get bored. The tension bred by road arenas helps Golden State stay focused and allows its collective powers — the switch-heavy defense, the cast of All-Stars, the deep bench, the rapid tempo, the parade of passes — to take its toll.
But for much of Saturday, the Warriors deviated from their road blueprint. They played matador defense early as Houston rang up 40 firstquarter points. Golden State players were slow-footed attacking the glass, paving the way for the Rockets to feast on second-chance opportunities and seize a 17-point lead late in the second quarter. The Warriors trimmed their deficit to seven by halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Durant drilled a three-pointer from the top of the arc, drew contact and crumpled to the floor before hitting the ensuing free throw to get the Warriors within 68-64. It helped set the tone for a period in which Golden State shot 11for-16 (68.8 percent) from the field and 6-for-9 from threepoint range.
It was less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, when Nick Young hit a layup
to put the Warriors up 96-94, that the Warriors finally had their first lead since the opening minutes. With two of the best shooters in NBA history hardly a factor, Golden State went scoreless over the final three minutes as the Rockets closed on a 7-0 run to escape with the victory.
“It was just a rough night to start, and we fought our way back and they obviously made some plays down the stretch,” Curry said. “We have to start off better next time.”
In dropping their first road game since Nov. 2, as well as suffering their first loss in Houston since Dec. 6, 2013, the Warriors piled up 19 turnovers, committed 24 fouls and were outrebounded 46-33, including 12-4 on the offensive glass. Chris Paul (33 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) powered the Rockets as Harden (22 points, eight assists) made progress in his second game back from a strained hamstring.
“It was just one of those nights,” Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said. “It rarely happens to both (Curry and Thompson) on the same night, but I’m never upset with missed shots. For the most part, we were taking good shots.”
“They always come through for us when we need it, and some nights it’s just not going to happen.” Kevin Durant, Warriors forward, on guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson