Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets

Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against the Houston Rockets on December 31, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Golden State shot 40.7 percent while failing to replace Curry’s league-leading 30.5 points per game.

He contributed 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Golden State’s Klay Thompson had one of his worst nights of the season, going 4-for-15 from the floor and finishing with 10 points.

The Warriors were never competitive and made no excuses after the blowout, instead focusing on getting better for the rest of the season.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry is out for the second straight game Thursday night against Houston with a bruised lower left leg. This year they seem to play better against the best teams and they are losing many games against teams with losing records.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 12 rebounds and the Spurs routed the Phoenix Suns 112-79 for their 19th straight home win to start the season. Karl-Anthony Towns topped Minnesota (12-21) with 22 points while Andrew Wiggins added 21.

The Warriors looked out of sorts nearly from the beginning with their sharpshooting star watching from the bench in jeans and a black sport coat.

The Warriors led 90-82 after three.

It is no surprise that those two stepped to the forefront, considering that they are considered the second- and third-best players on the team (in whatever order people prefer).

The Warriors broke a tie and opened up an 88-80 lead late in the third after Andre Iguodala hit back-to-back 3-pointers and James Michael McAdoo had a steal and breakaway dunk.

Bryant played 33 minutes and had his first double-double of what he says is his final season.

Harden scored 30 points, but Thompson backed up his words by going 16 for 27 from the field and hitting six 3-pointers after struggling the previous night without Curry by his side.

Thornton gets 12 minutes in the first half and scores 8 points.

Kerr, who has been recovering from complications following offseason back surgery, was with the team on a multigame trip for the first time this season.

“He’s one of those rare players in this league that affects the entire game just by being on the court”, Walton said. As coaches, obviously we put our input in, is making sure he’s healthy before we clear him to play.

“J.J.’s been great, shooting the ball incredibly well but taking good shots”, Harris said.

The defending champs were without Curry as well as Festus Ezeli (sore left toe), Leandro Barbosa (sprained left shoulder), and Harrison Barnes, who missed his 13th straight game with an injured ankle.

Again the Rockets are playing at the level of their opponents.