The Houston Rockets needed a Jalen Green explosion to beat the Golden State Warriors 109-94 in Game 2 of their series on Wednesday. Green dropped 15 points in the third quarter to give the Rockets an 87-71 lead. Houston held on for a win by turning the fourth period into another defensive slugfest.Green finished the game with 38 points, 23 coming in the second half, six assists and four rebounds. Tari Eason gave the Rockets a big lift on both ends. He contributed 14 points, six rebounds and one assist.The Dubs, who lost Jimmy Butler to an injury in the first quarter, received 20 points from Steph Curry. Moses Moody was the only starter who hit double-digit scoring, contributing 12 points. The series shifts to the Bay Area tied at 1-1 apiece.Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets player stats and box scoreGolden State Warriors player stats and box scorePlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG3-PT FGFT+/-Draymond Green8513152-62-62-4-13Jimmy Butler III3200001-20-01-2-7Stephen Curry20591166-154-94-4-3Moses Moody12211114-73-61-2-13Brandin Podziemski0000000-50-20-0-11Jonathan Kuminga11320114-122-51-2-3Kevon Looney5430002-30-01-2-6Braxton Key0000200-00-00-0+2Kevin Knox II2110001-30-10-0+2Trayce Jackson-Davis2200001-10-00-0+2Gui Santos3110021-30-11-2-8Quinten Post12211004-94-80-0-4Buddy Hield5410002-41-30-0-7Gary Payton II0111000-30-10-0-4Pat Spencer11110005-71-10-0-2Houston Rockets player stats and box scorePlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG3-PT FGFT+/-Amen Thompson11130004-70-13-4+15Dillon Brooks16310136-122-52-2+12Alperen Sengun171672036-151-24-5+28Fred VanVleet7623102-81-72-2+19Jalen Green384630213-258-184-5+19Jeff Green0100000-20-00-0-5Jabari Smith Jr.5500112-41-30-0+5Tari Eason14610016-92-20-0-4Cam Whitmore0100000-10-00-0-5Steven Adams1301100-00-00-0+2Aaron Holiday0110000-20-10-0-1Nate Williams0000000-00-00-0-5Reed Sheppard0000000-10-10-0-5Jae'Sean TateDNP- -------Jock LandaleDNP- --------Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Game SummaryThe Golden State Warriors took on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Golden State, which stole home-court advantage on Sunday with a 95-85 win, looked to have a stranglehold of the series with another victory.The defensive slugfest that characterized Game 1 promptly returned in Game 2 between the Warriors and the Rockets. Houston finally had separation late in the first quarter behind Amen Thompson, Jalen Green and Tari Eason. The Rockets' late surge gave them a 28-18 advantage after one quarter.The second quarter was marred by the news of Jimmy Butler's pelvis injury, which he suffered in the first quarter. Butler would not return to the game, which added to the Warriors' woes. Brandin Podziemski played eight minutes but did not return due to a stomach issue.The absences of Butler and Podziemski did not stop the Warriors from putting on a gritty performance. Still, they lost the quarter 32-28 to trail by 60-46 at halftime.Jalen Green stood out above everyone else in the third quarter. The high-leaping Rockets guard scattered 15 points in the period to keep his team in the driver's seat. Houston entered the final 12 minutes with a commanding 87-71 lead. Golden State slowed down Green in the fourth quarter, limiting him to eight points. The defensive struggle returned in the final period, allowing the Rockets to roll to a grimy 109-94 win.