Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) shoots as Houston Rockets’ Usman Garuba (16) defends during the second half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)
Warriors Get Hot in Fourth Beat Rockets 121-108
By Barbara Mason
Monday night the Golden State Warriors (37-36) took on the Rockets 18-54) in Houston at the Toyota Center and came away with a 121-108. The Rockets sit at the bottom of the Western Conference but have beaten some very good teams of late they even had a three winning steak before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday 117-107 . The Warriors have everything to play for with playoff ramifications at risk. They do not want to have to play in so the win tonight was an additional must win.
The Warriors had a decent start but could not put much distance between themselves and the Rockets. Golden State won the opening quarter 26-21 but the second quarter was dead even at 29. The Warriors had a slim lead at the half 55-50.
The third quarter was a good one for the Rockets. This game was tied for much of the first half of the quarter. Houston refused to go away and with under six minutes left in the third had taken the lead 69-67. Both Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole got banged up in the quarter and Curry actually left the floor taking a breather on the bench.
The Warriors were unable to take any kind of a significant lead. The turnovers were mounting with 17 through three quarters. The Warriors led 84-80 after three. Houston did win the third quarter 30-29 and every starter for Houston had double digits.
The Warriors went on a nice run in the fourth quarter and two minutes into the quarter had a 95-87 lead. At 8:55 the Warriors had their biggest lead of the night 98-87. Golden State continued to extend their lead and with Curry back on the floor took a 102-89 lead.
With just over three minutes left in the quarter, the Rockets had pulled to within ten points 111-101. The Warriors went on a tear in the final minutes winning the game and snapping an 11 game road skid. This was the fourth win over Houston without a loss this season.
The Warriors won this game despite the 20 turnovers that resulted in 25 Rocket points. Curry finished with 30 points and Klay Thompson was right behind him with 29. Jonathan Kuminga had 17 off the bench. This was a badly needed win for Golden State with only 10 games left in the season.
On Wednesday night the Warriors will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
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