The Rockets' bench made a furious rally in the fourth quarter, but the damage the Warriors' inflicted in the first three quarters was too great to overcome as Houston fell 126-113 in Golden State.
James Harden finished with 33 points and his league-leading 19th 30+ point game of the season, but the other four starters combined for just 23 points.
Houston only trailed by 3 after the first quarter, but Golden State outscored them 30-13 in the second. The Rockets' offense woke up in the third as they scored 36 in the quarter, but they gave up 40 to the Warriors.
With the starters sitting, Houston won the fourth quarter 35-24 thanks to 20 points from Corey Brewer and 14 from Jason Terry. They even cut Golden State's lead down to single-digits after it had been as high as 30.
The Warriors set a new franchise record with their 17th straight home victory and swept the season series with the Rockets for the first time since the 1973-74 season.
The Rockets head to Phoenix on Friday for the second stop in their three-game West Coast road trip.