James Hardens Posts Fifth Triple-double As Warriors Forfeit 20-Point Lead To Lose To Houston Rockets

James Harden scored his fifth triple-double of the season as he posted a game-winning three-pointer in the overtime for Houston Rockets to beat Golden State Warriors by 135-134. It was unfortunate for the title holders who slid from a 20-point lead to defeat at the Oracle Arena on Thursday night. 

Before the game was dragged into overtime, Warriors were set for a cruise through to win with a 53-73 lead early in the third quarter, but Rockets rallied and tied the scored by 119-119 with Harden's 3-pointer in last 43.1 seconds.

The reigning MVP holder trailed behind Oklahoma City Thunder's Russel Williams in most triple-double scored this season. He finished the game with 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Steve Curry blamed the failure to convert the lead to their advantage on "laziness" from Warriors saying, "You have a lead like that, you don't lose at home". He led the scores for Warriors with 35 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists.   

The game-changing three-pointer Harden posted with 2.7 seconds remaining that earned the victory for Rockets was deemed as one "impossible shot" that should not have been allowed by Warriors' coach Steve Kerr.