The Golden State Warriors (60-14) started their Texas two-step with a 113-106victoryover the Houston Rockets (51-23) Tuesday night at the Toyota Center to stretch their league-best winning streak to eight games.Stephen Curry (32points) and Klay Thompson (25points) starred for the Western Conference's current No. 1 seed in the victory. The outing represented the 11th time this season the Splash Brothers each topped 25 points in a game, according to the Warriors' public relations department. The Warriors needed every single one of those points, too, because the Rockets featured a balanced and aggressive attack that was paced by James Harden.Specifically, Harden led a group of sixHouston double-figure scorers with 24points, 13assistsand 11reboundsto secure his 20th triple-double of the season. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 2016-17 NBA season is the first in league history in which two playersHarden and Russell Westbrookhave each tallied at least 20 triple-doubles.Harden also made history in the swishing and dishing departments, as he reached previously uncharted statistical territory, perSportsCenteron Twitter:However, Harden shot 5-of-20from the field due in part to a sore left (shooting) wrist that appeared to bother him throughout the game, as ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon noted:On the whole, the Rockets recorded paltry shooting splits of 38.8percent from the field and 16.1percent from three. However, they were able to hang around despite being thrown off their game by the Dubs' defense.Although the Rockets generally prefer to shred opponents from beyond the arc, the Warriors entered Tuesday night seemingly determined to run them off the three-point line and force them to make hay inside, as theHouston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen highlighted:As a result, Houston was never able to establish their normal rhythm from distance. In fact, the Rockets finished the game with more attempts from the free-throw line (39) than from three (31).In other words, it was a far cry from Sundaywhen the Rockets torched the Oklahoma City Thunder for 137 points on 63.3 percent shooting from the field and 51.3 percent shooting from three as their offense flowed uninhibited.But despite the shaky offensive showing, the Rockets gave the Warriors a battle deep into the fourth quarter thanks in part to the fight of Patrick Beverley.While he didn't fill up the scoring column (10points) in a major way, Beverley forced several Warriors turnovers to keep his side within striking distance, asUSA Today's Sam Amick observed:Ultimately, the Rockets didn't have enough offensive juice to stick with the Warriors in the game's final few minutes, thus bringing an end to their four-game winning streak.Houston will have an opportunity to avenge Tuesday's loss when it travels to Oracle Arena on Friday evening for a rematch. That said, Friday's showdown will come on the second night of a back-to-back for the Rockets after they clash with the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening.Speaking of back-to-backs, the Warriors will be back in action Wednesday night at AT&T Center against the San Antonio Spurs to wrap up a quick two-game road trip.
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