Warriors vs. Rockets score, takeaways: Draymond Green, Golden State stun James Harden and Co. on Christmas Day

The Warriors pulled off a major upset over the Rockets on Christmas Day

When it comes to Christmas Day basketball, you can throw the records right out the window. The Golden State Warriors proved that by beating the Houston Rockets, 116-104, at Chase Center on Wednesday. After coming in as double-digit underdogs, the Warriors executed their game plan on James Harden perfectly and hit clutch 3-pointers down the stretch to seal the shocking win. It was the biggest Christmas Day upset in 30 seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

The Warriors had five players score in double figures, led by 22 points from Damion Lee, who added a career-high 15 rebounds in a breakout game. Draymond Green scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Warriors won their third straight game. Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 30 points, while Harden scored 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting and 6-for-10 3-pointers, but he miraculously only took one free throw all game.

Check below for takeaways from the game, and a recap of live updates.

Rivalry still alive

The Rockets and Warriors have engaged in some epic battles over the last few seasons, but that appeared to have taken a brief hiatus due to Golden State's rapid decline. The Warriors, however, didn't get the memo. They played with fire and intensity, and you could tell that Draymond Green in particular was not about to roll over no matter the discrepancy in talent between the teams. The Rockets looked apathetic at times, as they're prone to do, and they just couldn't flip the switch as the Warriors closed the game down the stretch. The teams play again in February, and you would imagine the Rockets might come out with a bit more energy in that one.

Double trouble for Harden, Rockets

The Warriors used a strategy on Harden that many teams have employed this season, often sending two defenders at him to force him to get rid of the ball. The Rockets have found a way to work around it all season, but they struggled on Christmas. Harden was patient, giving the ball up as he should, but the other four Rockets had trouble executing. Westbrook struggled in the third quarter as Harden went nearly seven minutes without a field goal attempt, and that allowed the Warriors to take the lead. Teams are willing to live with Westbrook and the other Rockets beating them, and when they don't shoot the ball well it plays directly into the opponents' hands. Mike D'Antoni and Harden are excellent at adjustments, though, and they'll likely figure out something as the season goes on.

Hello Damion Lee!

Be honest, you didn't know who Damion Lee was before Christmas. That's fair since he's not exactly a household name, but he's been a productive member of the Warriors this season, mostly by creating space on offense with his shooting ability. He hit the boards on Wednesday as well, however, collecting a career high in rebounds in the first half alone. They don't get much attention because they're a significant downgrade from the usual roster, but the Warriors' role players have shown tremendous improvement this season. Lee on Christmas was a great example of that.

Keeping Harden off the line

James Harden took one free throw in a game. Let's repeat that: James Harden attempted one free throw in a game! Steve Kerr has been preaching to his defenders not to foul Harden for years, but it's much easier said than done. Part of it was the fact that the Warriors were trapping Harden so high that he couldn't get into the lane, but Golden State did an excellent job showing the referees its hands and avoiding the cagey moves Harden uses to draw so many fouls. The last time Harden took one free throw or fewer was in March, when he went without a free throw attempt in a win over the Timberwolves. It probably won't happen again for a very long time.

[Dec 25, 2019 at 7:13 pm ET · Colin Ward-Henninger]

Draymond with a huge three to extend the lead ... are the Warriors actually going to pull this off?

[Dec 25, 2019 at 7:07 pm ET · Colin Ward-Henninger]

here we go ... Harden with a four-point play to give the Rockets the lead ...

[Dec 25, 2019 at 6:51 pm ET · Colin Ward-Henninger]

Warriors have had trouble closing games all season ... we'll see how they do with the Rockets -- and James Harden -- ready to lead the charge ...

[Dec 25, 2019 at 6:40 pm ET · Colin Ward-Henninger]

Warriors with a three-point lead after the Russell floater ...