From left, Golden State Warriors David West, Kevin Durant, Patrick McCaw, and Klay Thompson look up at a replay of the final play of the game against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Rockets won 122-121. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND- The visiting Houston Rockets rallied from a thirteen-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to defeat the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at Oracle Arena by a score of 122-121.

The Warriors had a pre-game ceremony before the start of the game to give the players and coaches their championship rings and unfurl the 2016-2017 banner. The fans were excited to see the players back in action and were hoping to get the season started with a win. That did not happen as the Rockets refused to break and were able to win the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Dubs almost won as Kevin Durant sank a two-point bucket as time expired. The review of the play determined that KD’s hand was still on the ball when the buzzer sounded and the referees waved off the basket.

Houston’s only lead until late in the game came in the first quarter. The Warriors led all the way until late in the game. The Dubs led 121-120, but the Rockets made a two-pointer and held the Dubs at bay for the win.

The Warriors led by one at the end of the first quarter and by nine 71-62 at the end of the first half. Nick Young, who is known as Swaggy P, led the way in the first half. Young was hot, and he scored twenty points to lead the attack. Steph Curry missed a lot of playing time in the half as he was saddled with three personal fouls. Klay Thompson was hot in the early going, but his production tailed off the rest of the way. Klay, however, was terrific on defense. Kevin Durant tallied ten points in the first 24 minutes of action, but the Dubs appeared to be struggling even as the put 71 points on the board. James Harden and Eric Gordon were the big guns for Houston.

In the third quarter, Curry left after he picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. KD Got hot, and the Dubs were able to end the third quarter with a thirteen point advantage 101-88. There was a sour note as Draymond Green injured his knee and had to leave the game. Draymond was diagnosed with a knee strain and did not return. Coach Steve Kerr used rookie Jordan Bell in his place, and Bell played well.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Rockets. Houston started the final stanza with a 7-0 run to trail by six 101-95. Steph kept the Dubs in the game as he made two 3-pointers and two two-pointers. The Rockets met every challenge, and their defense kept the Warriors from extending the lead. The Rockets continued to chip away as they were excellent on defense. They forced turnovers, made steals and stopped the Dubs after the Warriors held a three-point lead 121-118. The Rockets scored the final four points of the game for the win.

Game Notes- Andre Iguodala did not play as he is having a back issue. Omri Casspi played several minutes, but he left the game with an undisclosed injury and did not return. The Warriors had to juggle the rotations. JaVale McGee did not play. Jordan Bell replaced ZaZa Pachulia in the first and third quarters. David West started the second and fourth quarters as he did last season.

Nick Young led the Dubs with 23 points. Steph had 22 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds. Draymond Green just missed a triple-double. Draymond tallied nine points, 13 assists, and 11 boards. KD had 20 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.  Klay ended the night with sixteen and had this to say after the game:” Our communication wasn’t good. We played a great game, but we let them back in the game. We’ll get better.” Jordan Bell knocked down 8 points in his NBA debut.

The Rockets were led by James Harden’s 27 points. Clint Capela 12, Ryan Anderson, 13, Chris Paul 4, and Trevor Ariza had 8. The Rockets bench outscored the Dubs bench 58-5. Luc Mbah a Moute scored 14, PT Tucker added 20 and Eric Gordon pitched in with 24. Jordan Bell led the Dubs bench with eight and the rest of the bench scored just seventeen points.

The Warriors start a three-game road trip Friday night in New Orleans, Saturday night in Memphis, and Monday night in Dallas.