Warriors top Rockets 113-106 to take 2-1 lead in season series

Posted: March 28, 2017 -- 10:40 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets climbed uphill Tuesday night versus the Golden State Warriors; and, the Rockets never got over the proverbial hump in a 113-106 loss to the Warriors.

The Warriors improve to 60-14 on the season. The Warriors have won 60 plus games three consecutive seasons to become the sixth team in NBA history to accomplish the feat.

The Warriors have won six straight regular season games in Houston after not having a winning streak longer than three games prior.

The Warriors jumped to a 21-11 lead six minutes into the game; and, as the Rockets struggled making shots, the Warriors extended the lead to 17 (37-20) after the first period.

The Rockets shot 33.3% (8 for 24 field goals) in the opening quarter while the Warriors shot 69.6% (16 for 23).

The deficit ballooned to as much as 22 points (49-27) in the second quarter; however, a 9-0 spurt sparked the Rockets' momentum and helped the Rockets crawl within 8 points (60-52) at halftime.

The Rockets field goal shooting improved slightly in the second stanza (44.4%); however, the free throw shooting (16 for 18) in the second quarter, kept the Rockets afloat.

Neither team shot well from the field in the third quarter: Rockets - 37.5%; Warriors - 39.1%; but, once again, the Rockets' free throw shooting (10 for 11) proved invaluable.

The Rockets trailed the Warriors 86-75 after three quarters and managed to get as close as 5 points twice in the fourth quarter; but, 2 baskets by Draymond Green and a three-point splash from Steph Curry pushed the Rockets to an 11 point deficit with 1:46 remaining in the game.

James Harden's sore left wrist bothered him during the second half; but, despite the 5 for 20 field goal shooting, Harden scored 24 points, dished 13 assists; and grabbed 11 boards for his 20th triple-double of the season.

Mike D'Antoni believes Harden's sore wrist did affect his play.

"Yeah, I think it bothered him a little bit. You know; we'll have to look at it going forward. Make sure he's okay; but, I'm sure it bothered him some.

"Yeah, he only had a triple double."

The Rockets made a season low 5 three-point shots (out of 31 attempts).

"They (the Warriors) are the number one team for the lowest three point percentage", D'Antoni said. "So, they come at you. They're long and athletic; and, they really run you off. Having said that, we still had a lot of looks wide open that we didn't make."

The Rockets lost despite shooting 35 for 39 from the free throw line while the Warriors shot 12 for 16 from the line. Since the start of January, the Rockets have made more free throws (871; 1124 free throw attempts) than opponents have attempted (824).

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.