Richardson leads Warriors over Rockets; McGrady injured

Baron Davis posted a double-double with 25 points and 10 assists while Stephen Jackson netted 17 for the Warriors, who remained 1 1/2 games behind the Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Rockets played most of the game without their main scoring weapon, as Tracy McGrady left midway through the first quarter with back stiffness and did not register a point.

"My back has been stiff for about a week now and it’s just getting worse," McGrady said.

Luther Head carried the load, setting career highs with seven three-pointers made and 30 points overall for Houston, which currently holds the No. 5 seed.

Rafer Alston donated 18 points, while Shane Battier tallied 17.

The Warriors opened up a 57-52 halftime lead behind 18 points from Davis, and continued to stretch that advantage in the second half.

The Rockets had actually pulled to within one at 69-68 following a pair of Yao Ming free throws with 4:20 left in the third quarter, but Golden State lashed back with a 12-2 run to push the lead to double-digits. Al Harrington had five points in the surge, which Richardson capped with a three-point play to make it 81-70.

After three quarters, the Warriors owned an 84-72 advantage.

The lead was built to 16 points with only 7:16 remaining in the game, but Head led a 15-3 charge from there that sliced the deficit to four. Head hit three triples in that span, and Juwan Howard scored on a hook shot with 2:36 left that made it 100-96.

Jackson countered with a three-pointer on the next possession, though, and Golden State scored 10 of the final 15 points to secure the win.

"This was a much-needed win," Jackson said. "We are playing for something."

Game Notes

Yao took just four shots, and finished with nine points and 11 rebounds...Harrington had 15 points, and Monta Ellis notched 14 for Golden State...The Warriors committed just 10 turnovers to Houston’s 23.