Foul-Prone Warriors Unable To Defeat Rockets
HOUSTON (AP) -- Kevin Martin scored 25 points and the Houston Rockets held off the foul-prone Golden State Warriors 111-101 on Wednesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Rockets took advantage of the Warriors' fouls, hitting 39 of 51 free throws. Golden State has lost six of its last seven games after starting the season 6-2.
Luis Scola added 24 points and 12 rebounds for Houston. Chuck Hayes had 16 points, Shane Battier 13 and Kevin Lowry added 14 points and 10 assists.
Dorell Wright led Golden State with 24 points, Stephen Curry had 21, and Monta Ellis 18. Curry fouled out with 15 seconds to play and Andris Biedrins and Vladimir Radmanovic finished the game with five fouls each.
The Rockets never trailed, but had to fight off a pair of charges by the Warriors.
Golden State cut it to two at 88-86 with 8:35 to play, but the Rockets responded with an 11-0 run.
Houston had a 50-37 advantage with 5:19 to go in the second quarter. The Warriors cut that to 59-51 by the end of the second period and that was just the start of the Warriors' rally.
Golden State outscored the Rockets 18-11 to start the third quarter and cut Houston's lead to one at 70-69. That was as close as the Warriors could get in the third period. Houston led 82-78 going into the fourth period.
The Warriors were foul-prone from the start. The Rockets hit 22 of 26 free throws for a 59-51 lead at the half.
Houston led 41-29 with 9:13 to go in the second quarter and built a 50-37 lead with 5:19 to go. Martin had 12 first-half points.
NOTES: Golden State's 132-128 victory over the Rockets on Oct. 27 snapped a nine-game Houston winning streak over the Warriors. ... Ellis has scored 20 or more points in 12 of his 14 games, including a career-high 46 points on opening night against the Rockets. ... Houston extended its home winning streak to five games over the Warriors.
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