Rockets fall to Warriors 104-78 in Game 1 of playoffs

OAKLAND, CA (KTRK) -- The Houston Rockets got into the playoffs by the skin of their collective teeth. Their reward - a date with the team that put together the best regular season in the history of the NBA.

After a dreadful first half, the Rockets were unable to gain any momentum in Oakland, falling to the Warriors 104-78. James Harden lead the Rockets with 17 points, but was unable to get to the free throw line. Stephen Curry lead the Warriors with 24 points, dazzled from long range and drove to the basket at-will.

Overall, the Rockets shot an abysmal 27 percent shooting from the three-point line and committed 24 turnovers against the high powered Warriors.

At the end of the first half, the Rockets found themselves down in a 60-33 hole. In the first quarter, a scuffle between Stephen Curry and Patrick Beverley ignited the home crowd for Golden State.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night in Oakland at Oracle Arena.

PHOTOS: Rockets take on the Warriors in Game 1

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Still, these Rockets aren't ready to roll over in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals.

"You have to face them anyway, either its first round or the Western Conference finals," star James Harden said. "We have a great opportunity. A lot of people are counting us out."

The Warriors, who finished the season with 73 wins, are led by Steph Curry, the reigning NBA Player of the Year. For Golden State, anything less than a second consecutive title would be considered a failure.

Still, being the NBA's best, they're going to get everyone's best shot.

"That just goes with the territory," coach Steve Kerr said. "We're defending champs. When you're the favorite, it's a little different dynamic. Last year even though we won 67 games and were the one seed, people still wondered if we could get it done. It's a different feel, a different dynamic. We still have to win 16 games."