NBA 2018-19: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets: 3 Talking Points

Final Score: Rockets defeat Warriors, 107-86

After beating the Atlanta Hawks, the Warriors were on the road to take on Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. They came into this game without the two-time MVP, Stephen Curry who is still recovering from a left groin sprain.

Draymond Green returned back to the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension. The Warriors got blown out by the Rockets and did not look prepared for the game. Playing without Stephen Curry meant that one of their all-stars had to have a huge game to beat the Rockets, but that did not happen as the starters failed to deliver.

For the Rockets, James Ennis III had 19 games on 63.6 percent shooting and Clint Capela put together a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden led the game to an emphatic win and the Rockets are now on a three-game winning streak while the Warriors fell to 12-4 on the season. Let us take a look at three talking points from this matchup.

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#3 Warriors' starters were ice cold from the three-point line

Warriors starters did not hit a single three on the night. Credit

:Scroll

Even though Stephen Curry is still out of action, the Warriors have shooters who can knock down three-pointers at a very high accuracy. However, in this game, the Warriors' starters did not hit a single three on the night.

This was the first time that something like this happened for the Warriors, since March of 2013. Durant, Green and Thompson combined for 0-for-9 from downtown and the Warriors could not get it going on the road.

Their poor shooting and the fashion in which they got blown out by the Rockets will definitely raise a few eyebrows. Also, considering the fact that this happened in Green's return from the one-game suspension will only make the things worse for Warriors.

#2 James Harden's game-high 27 points

James Harden led the Rockets to

victory

scoring game-high 27 points

James Harden has led the Rockets to two straight-wins scoring 40 and 22 points respectively. He extended the Rockets' win streak to three by scoring a game-high 27 points at home to defeat the defending champions.

In the first quarter, at 2:50 mark, James Harden knocked down a three-pointer to give the Rockets, a one-point lead. Although he struggled from the field going 8-for-23, including 4-for-14 from long-range, he got buckets at crucial times and also used his playmaking ability to lead the offense.

He finished the game with 27 points, to go along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists after featuring in 32 minutes of action. Harden just like he usually does, drew contact on several occasions to go to the free-throw line. He went 7-for-8 from the charity stripe and was +11 on the night.

#1 Draymond Green's scoreless-night

Green did not score after returning back to the lineup from

one game

suspension. Credit: The Mercury News

Draymond Green was back in the Warriors' lineup after missing the game against Atlanta Hawks due to a one-game suspension for his altercation with fellow teammate, 9-time All-Star, Kevin Durant.

Green has been at his usual best in the first month and is stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis. However, in this game, he remained scoreless after playing in the game for 24 minutes. He went 0-for-3 from the field, including 0-for-2 from downtown.

Although he could not score, he still tried to make an impact on the game and dished out 5 assists to go along with 5 rebounds. With Curry not available for the game and Green not scoring, the Warriors did not have enough firepower on offense to defeat a really good Rockets team at Toyota Center. Green also had five turnovers in this game and had an off-night in his return game.