Rockets tasked with improving communication vs. Blazers

Given the vulnerability of their opponent on Thursday, the Houston Rockets were positioned to open a crucial stretch of home games with a victory that could prove beneficial in their pursuit of the third seed in the Western Conference.

Instead, the Rockets fell behind early against the short-handed Golden State Warriors and, despite forcing overtime, lost 115-113 in the first game of a back-to-back. They will look to bounce back against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

The Warriors were without Stephen Curry (knee)...