Warriors vs. Rockets Takeaways: Six-Game Homestand Ends In Fatigue

The Houston Rockets gave up 37 points in the fourth quarter to the Warriors, but their lack of execution down the stretch was the result of fatigue.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets ended their six-game homestand Monday night in a 121-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Here are three takeaways from the Rockets' defeat inside the Toyota Center.

Rockets hit by fatigue in the fourth quarter:

The Rockets gave up a combined 59 points between Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. But their scoring does not depict the improved defensive performance the Rockets had against the Warriors. 

The Splash Brothers shot 35.7 percent from behind the arc on a combined 10 made triples.

Coach Stephen Silas felt the Rockets did a better job with their defensive switches to limit the Warriors to 35.4 percent shooting from the outside. But Silas credited Houston's fourth-quarter subpar play to fatigue.

"I was concerned about the energy that we would have for the fourth quarter," Silas said. "Our guys have played so many minutes two nights in a row. But we fought. We really did fight."

The Rockets entered the final period trailing the Warriors by five (85-80). But by the time Curry scored seven of Golden State's first 11 points, it was clear Houston was running out of gas during the final period. Houston gave up 37 points in the quarter. 

"It would have been nice to come up with a win tonight," Silas said. "You can see the growth of our group and what this team can be, there are glimpses of how good they can really be. This is a good place to be for a team rebuilding."

A bounce-back performance for Jabari Smith Jr.:

March has been great for Jabari Smith Jr., which should result in a Rookie of the Month nomination.

After scoring eight points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Smith had a solid performance with 17 points (7-15 FG, 1-4 3PT) and 11 rebounds against the Warriors. The highlight for Smith came at the 1:26 mark of the second quarter when he rejected Thompson's dunk attempt.

"[When playing against this team], you have to communicate," Smith said. "You have to be on point in transition, especially when they go with that lineup where everyone can shoot the ball — it can get tough. It is all about communicating for a full 48 minutes." 

Jalen Green finally had a solid performance following a 40-point night:

Jalen Green had his fourth 40-point performance of the season Sunday night against the Pelicans. But for the first time this season, Green did a solid job sustaining his play following an immense scoring night.

Green finished the game with 20 points on 7-for-19 shooting, 3-for-7 from behind the arc. And if not for a thigh contusion, Green may have scored more. He came into the game averaging 13.3 points on 27.0 percent shooting following a 40-point night.

Best performance:

Tari Eason started in place of Alperen Sengun and had one of his best performances of the season. He finished the game with 21 points and a dozen rebounds, a block and a steal. Sengun missed his seventh game of the season due to a non-COVID illness. 

Worst performance:

Kevin Porter Jr. may have ended the game with 17 points, but it was an overall subpar night. He shot an inefficient 4-for-15 from the field and 3-for-10 from behind the arc. Porter also finished with five turnovers with a minus-11 on the night.

Final Words:

"Just us being careless a little bit, fatigue set in a little bit from playing yesterday against that tough [New Orleans] Pelicans team. We fought, so no down spirits or anything. Played a great team, came up short." — Jabari Smith Jr.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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