Curry shines as Warriors hold off Rockets

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. [AFP]

Stephen Curry scored 32 points as the Golden State Warriors withstood Houston star James Harden’s 20th triple-double of the season in a 113-106 NBA victory over the Rockets on Tuesday.

The league-leading Warriors stretched their winning streak to eight games, thwarting the Rockets’ comeback bid and sending fans in Houston home unhappy.

Curry drained a three-pointer with 1:46 remaining as the Warriors stretched their lead back to double digits after seeing it dwindle.

Draymond Green scored 19 points, pulled down nine rebounds and came up with three steals in a characteristically energetic performance for the Warriors, clamping down defensively as the Rockets sought to close the gap down the stretch.

Klay Thompson added 25 points for the Warriors, who improved to 60-14 and will host the 41-23 Rockets — third in the West behind Golden State and San Antonio - on Friday.

Harden finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists.

But he connected on just five of 20 shots from the field and was one-of-nine from three-point range.

He also coughed up six turnovers as the Warriors came up big defensively.