NBA: Warriors blow 31-point lead, hold off Rockets in OT
HOUSTON — Buddy Hield scored 27 points and the Golden State Warriors squandered a huge lead before outlasting the Houston Rockets 127-121 in overtime Saturday night.
It’s Golden State’s 14th straight regular season win over the Rockets and the eighth in a row in Houston.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Warriors led by 31 points in the first half. The Rockets tied it with an 18-2 run to open the fourth quarter.
READ: NBA: Warriors knock off Pelicans for second time in two nights
Golden State scored the first six points in overtime to make it 125-119 and went on to a third straight win without Steph Curry, who is out with a sprained left ankle.
The Warriors led by five before a 3-pointer by Jabari Smith Jr. cut the lead to 119-117 with 15.5 seconds to go in regulation. Aaron Holiday stole the ball from Draymond Green and he fouled out a few seconds later. Tari Eason made two free throws after that to send it to overtime.
Article continues after this advertisementEason led the Rockets with a career-high 27 points. Smith added 21.
Andrew Wiggins added 15 points for Golden State in his return after missing two games with a strained back.
Takeaways
Warriors: Golden State continued to win without Curry, improving to 5-1 this season. The team said he will be re-evaluated Sunday to see how much longer he’ll be out.
Rockets: Houston played much better after halftime than it did in an awful first half but couldn’t close it out to build on consecutive wins at San Antonio and Dallas.
READ: NBA: Warriors, minus Steph Curry and Wiggins, rally past Pelicans
Key moment
Jonathan Kuminga scored the first two baskets of overtime to make it 123-119. He finished with 23 points.
Key stat
Houston made just 1 of 12 shots in overtime.
Up next
The Rockets host the Knicks on Monday night, while the Warriors visit Washington Monday night.