The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets clashed in a highly anticipated matchup at the Toyota Center on Friday night, with the visitors ultimately emerging victorious in a heart-stopping 118-116 finish. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a clear advantage.
The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry’s 32 points, got off to a strong start, racing out to an early 10-point lead in the first quarter. However, the Rockets, fueled by James Harden’s 35 points, refused to back down and slowly chipped away at the deficit. By halftime, the Warriors’ lead had been trimmed to just 2 points, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
The third quarter saw the Rockets momentarily take the lead, but the Warriors responded with a 10-0 run to regain control. The Rockets refused to give up, however, and the two teams entered the final quarter tied at 92-92. The fourth quarter was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a clear advantage.
With just over 2 minutes remaining, Curry hit a deep three-pointer to give the Warriors a 114-112 lead. However, Harden responded with a driving layup to tie the game at 114-114. The Warriors then turned to Curry again, and he delivered, hitting a 25-foot jumper with just 22 seconds remaining to put his team up 116-114.
The Rockets had one final chance to tie or win, but Harden’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, securing the Warriors’ hard-fought victory. The win was a testament to the Warriors’ resilience and determination, as they withstood a fierce challenge from the Rockets to emerge victorious.
“It was a great win for us,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys played with a lot of heart and grit. We’re proud of the way we fought tonight.”
The loss was a tough one for the Rockets, who had been seeking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the week. “We played a great game, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough,” said Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni. “We’ll just have to regroup and get ready for our next game.”
The win improved the Warriors’ record to 42-15, while the Rockets fell to 33-23. The two teams will meet again in a rematch on March 20.
