OAKLAND – Utah, the last team to enter Oracle Arena with a record of recent success against the Warriors, was held to 14 points in the first quarter and left town with a loss despite beating the champs in four of the previous five meetings.
The Warriors hope to do the same to another regular-season nemesis Saturday, when the Rockets, who have won the last three meetings, including two straight in Oakland, come into Oracle.
Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4 o’clock with Warriors Outsiders, followed by Sports Net Central. Tipoff of the ABC telecast is scheduled for 5:30, with a Sports Net Central postgame wrap at immediately after.
Not only did the Warriors (42-16) drop their last two regular-season home games to Houston, but also blew double-digit leads each time. Houston overcame a 20-point third-quarter deficit to take a 135-134 victory on Jan. 3 and won its only visit last season (Oct. 17) by wiping out a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
In short, the Warriors have discovered that no lead is safe against the Rockets.
There is a chance, however, the Rockets (33-25) will be without James Harden, as the MVP candidate is listed his questionable with neck soreness. He did not participate in a morning walk-through and his status will be updated before tipoff.
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PROJECTED LINEUPS
Warriors
F – Kevin Durant F – Draymond Green C – DeMarcus Cousins G – Klay Thompson G – Stephen Curry
Rockets
F – F – PJ Tucker C – Clint Capela G – Chris Paul G – James Harden
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Jacob Evans III (L pelvic soreness) is listed as probable. C Damian Jones (L pectoral surgery) is listed as out.
Rockets: G Harden (cervical strain) is listed as questionable. G/F Iman Shumpert (R knee soreness) is listed as out.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Warriors:: With all rotation players available – Shaun Livingston missed the game Thursday to be with his wife as she delivered their second child – expect the Warriors to go back to a nine-man rotation, with F/G Andre Iguodala, C/F Kevon Looney, Livingston and either F Jonas Jerebko or F Alfonzo McKinnie.. . . Given Houston’s reliability on pace and use of high ball screens, minutes could be tricky for Cousins, as Looney has done well under those conditions.. . .Durant is shooting 63.9 percent over the last six games. He also is four 3-pointers away from surpassing ex-Warrior Tim Hardaway (1,542) to move into 27th place on the all-time list.
Rockets: If Harden is ruled out, Eric Gordon is the likely replacement, with Paul handing the point. Gordon, who has played both SG and SF, struggled with his 3-pointer this season (32.2 percent) but played 38 minutes on Thursday in Los Angeles.. . . F Kenneth Faried, who also could move into the starting lineup if Harden is out, has been a solid contributor since signing with Houston last month. He’s averaging 15.7 points (63.4 FG) and 9.9 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game. His playing time will be impacted by Capela’s return Thursday after a 15-game absence with a thumb injury.
Officials: David Guthrie (chief), Nick Buchert, Ben Taylor