Paul, Rockets end Warriors’ streak
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives around Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON — Chris Paul scored 33 points and 11 rebounds, James Harden had 22 points and the Houston Rockets held off the Golden State Warriors 116-108 on Saturday night to snap their 14-game road winning streak.
Harden stepped back from Stephen Curry for a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to make it 114-108 with 1:10 left. Harden then blocked Curry’s 3-point attempt after a timeout, and Paul made two free throws with 28 seconds left.
Golden State lost away from home for the first time since Nov. 22. The Warriors had won seven straight in Houston.
Kevin Durant led Golden State with 26 points, Draymond Green had 21 and Curry added 19 on a night he went 5 of 15 on 3-point attempts.
The Warriors were wrapping up a five-game road trip and had won the first four games to tie a franchise record for consecutive road wins. But they struggled from the outset Saturday and trailed by double digits for most of the first half.
It was Harden’s second game back after missing seven with a strained hamstring. He was in a much better rhythm than in his return Thursday night, when he scored a season-low 10 points. He had eight assists, two steals and two blocks Saturday.
The Rockets got the victory despite missing Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green, who were both serving the second game of a two-game suspension for an altercation with the Clippers. Clint Capela added 18 points for Houston on a night when top reserve Eric Gordon went 0 for 9 from 3-point range and finished with just six points.
Golden State led by four before Houston went on a 9-2 run, with the first five points from Paul, to take a 109-106 lead with about three minutes left.
The Warriors scored five straight points, including a 3 from Green, early in the fourth quarter to go up 96-94 for their first lead since early in the first quarter.
They were behind by one later in the fourth before scoring the next five points to take a 104-100 lead with about seven minutes remaining.
The Rockets led by eight in the third before Golden State ended the quarter with a 9-2 run, with a 3 from Curry and two from Nick Young, to get within 92-91 entering the fourth.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Green surpassed the 4,000-point mark (4,019) and added seven rebounds to also reach 3,000 rebounds. … Golden State had 19 turnovers. … Young finished with 16 points.
Rockets: It was the second time in five games that Paul had scored 30 points or more. … Ryan Anderson had 13 rebounds. … Paul also had seven assists and three steals.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host the Knicks on Tuesday night.
Rockets: Host the Heat on Monday night.
