Instant Replay: Curry's game-high paces Warriors over Rockets

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BOX SCORE

Reigning MVP Stephen Curry let his play state his case Friday night, lifting the Warriors to a 112-92 dispatching of the Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston.

In a game that crackled with playoff intensity in the opening quarter, the reigning MVP finished with 25 points (on 9-of-15 shooting, 4-of-9 from deep), seven rebounds and six assists as the Warriors dropped Houston for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings.

Rockets star James Harden, the runner-up in the MVP voting, finished with 15 points (on 4-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds and five assists –- utterly failing to support his contention that he deserved to be the MVP over Curry.

Four other Warriors scored in double figures, as Marreese Speights put in 14 points, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes 12 had apiece and Klay Thompson added 11.

Festus Ezeli, starting at center in place of the sidelined Andrew Bogut, finished with 9 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, effectively neutralizing Houston center Dwight Howard.

The Warriors shined on defense against the team they defeated in the Western Conference Finals five months ago, forcing 17 turnovers and limiting the Rockets to 36.6-percent shooting, including 21.7 percent from beyond the arc.

No Warriors played more than 31 minutes and they led so comfortably in the fourth quarter that interim coach Luke Walton emptied his bench, giving everyone on the roster an opportunity to take the floor.

STANDOUT PERFORMER

Curry wears the crown on this night, not only for his statistical production but also for his composure while the Rockets were scratching and clawing in the first half.

He finished the half with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and zero turnovers.

Curry’s performance, which may or may not end the protests of Harden, cleared the path to victory.

TURNING POINT

After a dunk by Clint Capela pulled the Rockets within three (40-37) with 6:28 left in the second quarter, the Warriors responded with a 13-0 run in less than three minutes to go up 53-37 with 3:49 left in the half.

Houston got no closer than eight (73-65, 4:09 left in the third quarter) for the remainder of the game.

INJURY UPDATE

Warriors: C Andrew Bogut (concussion) did not make the trip. F Kevon Looney (hip surgery) is sidelined indefinitely. Both were listed as inactive.

Rockets: F Donatas Motiejunas (back pain) was listed as inactive.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Warriors on Saturday conclude their quick two-game road trip in New Orleans, where they face the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

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