Durant Misses Crucial Free Throws! Shepard Scores 30 Points as Rockets Fall to Warriors in Overtime, Podziemski and Melton Combine for 49 Points

On March 6th, Beijing time, the Rockets lost 113-115 to the Warriors in overtime at home. Shepard came off the bench with an outstanding performance, contributing 30 points and 6 assists with 6 three-pointers. Durant scored 23 points. Warriors' Green grabbed Smith Jr.'s ankle during the game, resulting in a technical foul. The Warriors led by as many as 11 points. The Rockets came back to take the lead in the second half, ultimately sending the game into overtime. In overtime, Podziemski played excellently, Durant missed two key free throws, and the Warriors secured the victory. Podziemski and Melton combined for 49 points.

Statistical Data

Warriors: Podziemski 26 points, 9 rebounds; Melton 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks; Horford 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; Santos 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists; Green 10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists; Klay 12 points; Spencer 8 points; Post 3 points, 6 rebounds

Rockets: Shepard 30 points, 6 assists, 6 three-pointers; Durant 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals; Amen 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals; Sengun 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists; Eason 9 points, 5 rebounds; Smith Jr. 3 points, 11 rebounds; Okogie 9 points, 4 rebounds; Capela 4 points, 3 rebounds

Player of the Game

Podziemski and Melton delivered excellent performances, helping the Warriors defeat the Rockets.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Green scored on a layup, Melton completed a three-point play, and Amen dunked. Horford made a hook shot and soon after hit a three-pointer. The Warriors went on a 7-0 run. Durant scored 5 consecutive points, but the Warriors' offense continued as Green and Melton hit three-pointers, giving the Warriors an 11-point lead. The Rockets' substitutes began to contribute with Capela dunking and Shepard scoring on a mid-range shot. Spencer scored 6 straight points, and Williams scored inside. At the end of the first quarter, the Warriors led the Rockets 30-20.

In the second quarter, Shepard scored on a floater, Eason dunked, and Shepard made another floater, reducing the deficit to 4 points. Horford, Podziemski, and Klay hit three-pointers, while Shepard also scored continuously. Sengun made a hook shot. Durant scored on a mid-range shot, and Santos scored 4 consecutive points, putting the Warriors ahead by 10 again. Okogie hit a three-pointer, Sengun made another hook shot, Durant also hit a three, and Eason scored on a layup. The Rockets went on a 10-0 run to tie the game. Amen scored on an alley-oop dunk, and Santos continued to score. At halftime, the Warriors led the Rockets 51-47.

After halftime, Eason scored on a putback, and Podziemski scored 5 straight points. Green fell to the floor and grabbed Smith Jr.'s ankle, resulting in a technical foul from the referee. Podziemski hit another three-pointer, and Melton scored on a steal and dunk, giving the Warriors a 9-point lead. Amen scored on a layup, and Eason hit a three-pointer. Klay made two consecutive three-pointers. Shepard carried the Rockets' offense, scoring 7 points himself. Okogie hit a three-pointer, and Amen scored 5 consecutive points. The Rockets went on a 13-2 run to take the lead from the Warriors. Santos scored on a layup, and Capela made both free throws. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets led the Warriors 82-81.

In the fourth quarter, Melton and Horford scored on layups, and Shepard hit three consecutive three-pointers. Podziemski scored on a floater. Both teams went scoreless for two and a half minutes. Post made one of two free throws. Durant scored on a mid-range shot, Green completed a three-point play, Podziemski made both free throws, and Smith Jr. made one of two. Sengun scored 7 consecutive points. Melton and Horford hit three-pointers, tying the game at 101. Durant blocked Melton and was called for a foul; the Rockets successfully challenged the call. A jump ball was awarded, and the Warriors gained possession. Kerr called a timeout. With 2.3 seconds left, the Warriors turned the ball over on the inbound, leaving the Rockets 0.3 seconds. Amen missed the alley-oop. The Rockets and Warriors were tied 101-101, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, Podziemski scored on a layup. Shepard and Klay exchanged three-pointers. Sengun scored on a putback. Podziemski scored 5 consecutive points. Shepard and Durant missed mid-range shots. Amen made one of two free throws. Durant hit a three-pointer. Horford scored on a hook shot. Durant attempted a three-pointer and drew a foul on Melton, making two of three free throws. Melton scored on a putback, leaving the Rockets 5.3 seconds. The Warriors intentionally fouled. Durant made one of two free throws. The Warriors ultimately secured the victory.

Starting Lineups

Warriors: Melton, Podziemski, Santos, Green, Horford

Rockets: Amen, Eason, Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun