What We Learned When Warriors Nearly Collapsed in OT Win vs. Rockets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
BOX SCORE
After going from the opening tip and taking a 28-point lead into the second half, the Warriors limped down the stretch and gave it all back to the Houston Rockets.
Fortunately, there was a chance for the Warriors to regain their footing in overtime and earn a pulsating 127-121 overtime victory Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.
After Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski both committed fouls, the Warriors defeated Houston 8-2 in OT, with Jonathan Kuminga accounting for six of the points.
Five Warriors scored in double figures, 27 points ahead of Buddy Hield. Kuminga finished with 23, Andrew Wiggins 15, Green 14 and Podziemski 12.
With their third straight win, the Warriors moved to 5-1 and 3-0 during the young 2024-2025 NBA season.
Here are three takeaways from a game that Golden State should definitely consider and learn from:
A story of two halves
After dominating the first half in every way imaginable, the Warriors fell flat in the second half. The defense fell asleep and the offense went into a coma — as it did with two points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Rockets deserve credit. They ramped up their defensive energy after the break, holding the Warriors to 36.4 percent shooting from the field, including 3 of 11 from beyond the arc in the second half. The Warriors suddenly seemed disoriented on offense and too often found themselves isolated.
Houston also pierced Golden State’s defense in ways not seen this season. How? Usually by going small and heating energy in the paint. Shooting allowed the Rockets to defend Golden State’s half-court offense – which is a major weakness without Stephen Curry.
The Warriors are optimistic that Curry, who practiced Friday, can return Monday when they take on the Wizards in Washington. Know that the welcome back will be warm. Very warm.
Kuminga saves the day
The Warriors have been waiting for a breakout game from Kuminga – and got it when they absolutely needed it.
Green fouled out in the final seconds of regulation. Podziemski fouled out with 2:55 left in overtime. Golden State needed a savior.
Enter Kuminga. His two buckets before Podziemski’s departure gave the Warriors a 123-119 lead and some breathing room. Kyle Anderson’s shot at 2:28 cut the lead to six.
Kuminga finished the scoring, took off for a solo fast break and got a layup for the final basket of the game with 1:18 to go.
Golden State had just five field goal attempts in OT, with Kuminga going 3-of-3 and Anderson 1-of-2.
The defense limited the Rockets to 1 of 12 shooting.
Buddy and the Blazin’ Bench couple
Golden State’s bench players, who entered the match averaging a league-high 59 points per game with a league-best 14.7 net rating, didn’t take long to show why they are the most powerful bunch in being the NBA.
The Warriors’ bench scored 42 of Golden State’s 71 points in the first half, creating a sizable margin that held. And once again Hield acted as detonator.
Hield made his first five shots, including four three-pointers, and had 14 points at the half on perfect shooting. His 27 points came on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, including 6-of-10 from deep.
Kuminga, coming off the bench for the third straight game, also had a 14-point first half on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from distance. His 23 points came on 7 of 12 shooting, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.
Golden State’s bench defeated its Houston counterpart 71-61.
Free throw futility
There probably wouldn’t have been much of a scare in the second half if the Warriors had made a few more of what many players call the easiest shot of the game.
Free throws.
Golden State shot just 64 percent from the line and reached a season-high 50 turnovers, but only made 32. That’s 18 free points not being capitalized on.
Green missed four. Kuminga, Kevon Looney and Wiggins each missed three. The others were missed by Moses Moody (two), Podziemski (two) and Hield (one).
The Warriors simply dodged a bullet.
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