Rockets vs. Warriors was the NBA’s game of the year. Here are 6 things you need to know

If you missed Thursday night’s Rockets-Warriors match-up, you missed out on one of the most important games of the young NBA season. Somehow, Houston managed to survive Golden State’s four All-Stars through two overtimes, despite its lone superstar being held somewhat in check, for a 132-127 shootout win.

The two teams fired away more threes than anyone else, things got chippy late in the game, and some magic from new additions to both sides made this Dec. 2 showdown an early entry candidate for Game of the Year.

Here’s what you missed if you drifted off into Zzz’s land early Thursday night:

Like a powerhouse NFL team imploding late in the Super Bowl, Harden’s performance against the Warriors was a tale of two halves.

Early on, The Beard masterfully orchestrated Mike D’Antoni’s offense, manipulating screens, slashing to the rim, and making the right decisions time and time again. He had 21 points midway through the third quarter, and his production not only gave the Rockets a lead, it had Golden State on its heels.

But then something happened. It was like a switch in Harden’s brain abruptly cut off. The same man who had been aggressive all game completely forgot how to get to the rim.

The Beard attempted only three shots in the fourth quarter (all perimeter jumpers) and one in the first overtime (a three-pointer closer to mid-court than the three-point line), missing everything until he got one to drop in 2OT. In all, he made one field goal in the game’s final 28 minutes and 30 seconds. It was like a reenactment of the 2012 NBA Finals, where he shot 18-for-48 in a disappearing act against the Miami Heat.

It could have been the hit he took early in the third quarter.

Harden took an “inadvertent” elbow to the chin from Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, who has a past with this tactic. Notice how after the initial contact — contact that could have been seen as incidental — Pachulia presses forward, mushing the Rockets’ star until he retaliated.

Technical fouls were issued to both players.

Harden still recorded his fourth triple-double of the season — 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists — and Houston came away with a well-earned W over the Warriors. But Houston will need James Harden to improve late in pressure situations if it wants to make a legitimate playoff run.

It looks just as bad as it sounds. Draymond Green was assessed a flagrant foul for slamming Harden with a flurry of mid-air mixed martial arts moves that would have made Conor McGregor cry tears of joy.

Green had an awesome game, finishing one assist shy of a triple-double. At times, his play (20 points on 9-for-16 shooting, 15 rebounds, and nine assists) was the core of Golden State’s set offense. But this flagrant foul, specifically the big boot to the beard, conjured up old, ugly thoughts of the same Green who flailed his leg haphazardly throughout the year last season.

Harden joked that he had his Invisalign braces in, so his teeth were alright after taking a foot to the grill. But Green opened himself up to increased scrutiny on every hard foul he’ll commit for the rest of the season, even if he doesn’t like it.

3) Kevin Durant nearly saved the Warriors

If KD hadn’t had his coming out party as a new Warriors signee yet, Thursday night was the black tie affair. Durant scored 39 points on 12-for-28 shooting for a Golden State team that looked for him time and time again. He was aggressive, swishing all 12 of his free-throw attempts.

And Durant was locked in defensively. His three steals and three blocks only tell half of how effective his length and versatility on D impacted the Rockets. Durant was everything Golden State needed him to be on Thursday. His All-Star teammate, though, could have been a bit better.

Curry shot just 4-for-13 from downtown and fouled out thanks to a series of reach-in fouls. As the game drew on, one thing became certain: Curry wasn’t going to hit the trademark Steph Curry shot to get his Warriors rolling. Yes, he finished with 28 points, including a dazzling lay-up after crossing Patrick Beverley in overtime, but the two-time league Most Valuable Player came up short on the momentum plays his team needed to get over the hump.

In the fourth quarter and both overtimes, Curry shot 4-for-10 from the field and the well-oiled machine that is the Warriors offense anchored by their floor general’s production seemed stifled. Curry didn’t come up empty, as 28 points is nothing to overlook. Neither are his five assists and three steals.

To be clear, he was still doing some things worthy of a two-time MVP nomination. The move past Beverley and around Harden could be labeled as one of the best transition finishes this season.

But as his patented shots — the pull-up three in transition and abrupt step-back triple — continued to miss, the Rockets found ways to stick around and keep the lead.

Houston also made it a point to target Curry early and often on screens throughout the game. As dangerous of a shooter as Harden is, Curry was forced to go over, committing several careless reach-in fouls leading to his sixth in 2OT. The Rockets’ game plan may have tired Curry out on the defensive end, affecting his shooting touch from distance.

And if that was indeed the game plan, it was a genius move on D’Antoni’s part.

Everyone knew Ryan Anderson could ball. It’s why there was a level of cautious optimism when the Rockets signed him last summer. He’s a great piece to play cat and mouse with James Harden.

It’s been a long time, though, since Anderson played meaningful basketball. Prior to joining Houston, the stretch shooter spent four years with the Pelicans, which amassed a 136-192 record during his time there. He suffered a brutal neck injury in 2014 after a collision with Gerald “Crash” Wallace and hadn’t played a full season since 2012.

But before those dismal years in New Orleans, Anderson was part of an Orlando Magic team that went deep in the playoffs in the East. He emerged as a legitimate shooting big man in his final two seasons there.

And on Thursday, Anderson reminded the Warriors he was worth the four-year, $80 million contract Houston signed him to. The sharp-shooter sprayed Golden State for 29 points on 5-for-10 shooting from downtown, including a cold-blooded step-back three to keep the Warriors from pulling away late in the fourth quarter.

It wasn’t just Anderson, either.

The Rockets brought Eric Gordon in over the summer to bolster an already high-powered offensive attack. He poured in 23 points off the bench, including a huge game-tying three in overtime and a driving layup after a move past Kevin Durant in double overtime.

When Harden didn’t have it going, Gordon made things happen. Like Anderson, the issue was never whether Gordon could play. It was whether he could remain healthy long enough to have an effect on the game. And he reminded people on Thursday he’s still as dangerous a scorer as ever with his timely buckets in a Rockets win.

The reason why a Warriors-Rockets series could be equal parts frustrating and exciting? The two teams combined for 82 three-point attempts, the first time in league history opposing teams shot 40 threes apiece.

Houston already averages 37 triples per game, and Golden State isn’t too far behind at 32.2.

There is a good chance these two teams will meet again in the playoffs. But Golden State and Houston will face off three more times in the regular season.

So if you missed last nights showdown, circle Jan. 20 on your calendar. Because next time, the Warriors are traveling down to Texas. And next time, both sides will have more to prove.