Warriors Defeat Rockets, Extend Franchise-Best Win Streak To 14 Games
OAKLAND (CBS / AP) -- Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry shook off slow starts to finish with a flurry, and the Golden State Warriors extended their franchise-best winning streak to 14 games by beating the Houston Rockets 105-93 on Wednesday night.
Thompson scored 21 points and Curry added 20 points, seven assists and seven rebounds to power an 11-0 run in the final minutes and turn a tight game into another comfortable win. Golden State improved its NBA-best record to 19-2 and helped new coach Steve Kerr carve out a slice of history.
Kerr became the first rookie coach to win 19 of his first 21 games.
James Harden played through back pain to finish with 34 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who had won four straight and seven of eight despite Dwight Howard being sidelined.
Howard (strained right knee) and Warriors center Andrew Bogut (right knee tendinitis) both sat out with injuries.
The teams traded baskets for most of the second half, and anytime one side began to pull away, the other followed with another spectacular play until Golden State's final push.
Harden hit a tying 3-pointer 4:45 remaining, and the Warriors answered in dramatic fashion: Draymond Green roared down the lane for a soaring dunk, Harrison Barnes started a three-point play with a driving layup over Harden and Thompson blocked Patrick Beverly from behind and finished a finger-roll layup on the other end.
But the Warriors still weren't done.
After the Rockets called time out, Green came up with a steal and passed ahead to Curry for a layup. The Warriors got another stop and Thompson hit two free throws to give Golden State a 100-89 lead that put the game out of reach.
Barnes finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, and reserve Marreese Speights had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors. Trevor Ariza and Donatas Motiejunas each scored 18 for the Rockets.
Golden State outshot Houston 49.4 to 41.6 percent. Each team had 15 turnovers.
With both big men and defensive stoppers sidelined, the teams had all kinds of room to roam inside.
Harden had his way with everybody the Warriors threw at him, helping Houston go ahead 36-25 in the second quarter. Curry came back with a big burst from long range, including two 3-pointers and a three-point play in a 2-minute stretch, as the Warriors briefly took the lead before heading to the half tied 46-all.
The Rockets led 76-73 after the third quarter.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Howard has missed 10 straight games. He hopes to return Saturday at home against Denver. ... Francisco Garcia (strained right calf/Achilles), Isaiah Canaan (sprained left ankle), Terrence Jones (nerve inflammation in left leg) and Kostas Papanikolaou (strained right knee) also sat out.
Warriors: Al Cervi had the previous best start as a rookie coach, winning 18 of his first 20 games with the Syracuse Nationals in the 1949-50 season. ... Kerr said he doesn't expect Bogut to miss additional time with tendinitis. ... David Lee, who has played in just one game because of a strained left hamstring, is scheduled to practice Thursday and will travel with the team on its upcoming trip.
NEXT UP
Rockets: At Sacramento on Thursday.
Warriors: At Dallas on Saturday.
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