Rockets lose to Steph Curry and Warriors, 98-87

Posted: November 8, 2014 -- 11:10 pm.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Steph Curry was sensational Saturday night; and, the Rockets had no answer for Curry as the Rockets lost to the Golden State Warriors 98-87. The loss snapped the Rockets' six-game winning streak to start the 2014-'15 season.

Dwight Howard missed the game with flu-like symptoms plus Patrick Beverley (hamstring) and Terrence Jones (knee) each out for one week which meant the Rockets faced the Warriors without three of their regular starters.

"Tonight was a tough game in general," James Harden said after the game. "We were missing three of our starters. Guys just didn't have the feel offensively tonight."

Howard's absence was definitely felt in the post and in the paint as Golden State big man Andrew Bogut controlled the glass and the paint with game-highs in rebounds (18) and blocked shots (4). Bogut's presence at the basket disrupted the Rockets' drives to the hoop; however, the Rockets did not help their own cause by jacking up far too many three point shots in the game.

The Rockets (6-1) launched a NBA season-high 42 three point shots but made just 10.

"We settled for too many threes," Kevin McHale said after the game. "We forced too many threes."

James Harden made just one of his 11 three-point shots while Trevor Ariza (0 for 6) and Kostas Papanikolaou (0 for 5) missed all 11 of their three-point attempts.

The game was action-packed and filled with sounds of fury which, during many parts of the game, signified nothing. The teams combined for 49 turnovers (26 for the Warriors) and 173 field goal attempts.

Each team attempted similar number of shots in each half: the Warriors shot 19 for 44 from the floor in the first half and 20 for 43 in the second 24 minutes while the Rockets shots 18 for 43 in the opening 24 minutes and 12 for 43 in the second stanza.

In addition to the Rockets 43 field goals in the second half, they only shot four free throws in the second half. Houston sank only three of 21 three-point field goals in the second half.

Despite the poor field goal shooting, the Rockets led 29-25 at the end of the first quarter and 56-48 at halftime. Scrappy play and hustle contributed to the halftime lead; but, the Warriors played more aggressively in the third quarter which resulted in an 18-13 rebounding edge in the quarter. Plus, the Warriors sank 11 of 22 field goals while the Rockets made just five of 27 field goals. The Rockets missed 11 consecutive field goals during a five minute scoreless drought which helped the Warriors outscore the Rockets 28-13 in the third period.

The Rockets trailed 76-69 after three quarters; but, an 11-4 run, capped by a three-point bomb by Isaiah Canaan tied the game at 80. The teams exchanged buckets for a tie game at 82 before Steph Curry went to work.

Curry scored 12 points during the Warriors' 14-2 run to put the game away. (Andrew Bogut scored the other 2 points during the run off an assist from Curry.)

James Harden scored a team-high 22 points for the Rockets; but, Harden struggled making shots. Harden made just 8 of 24 field goals -- including a woeful 1 for 11 from the three-point line.

Trevor Ariza made just 3 of his 16 field goals.

"We struggled tonight: myself and Trevor," Harden added. "We have got to play pretty well offensively especially against a great team like that and tonight we just didn't do it."

Ariza chimed in and said, "We shoot a lot of threes. Tonight, we didn't make anything. The one thing positive I can say about tonight is we did a good job defensively; but, we didn't do enough on offense. I've got to find a way to get some easier baskets because I'm not happy with the way I played tonight."

The Rockets don't play again until Wednesday when they face the Timberwolves in Mexico City.

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