The Warriors led Houston 62-52 at halftime in their opener Wednesday, but then watched as the Rockets ran off 23 of the first 32 points of the second half to go up four.

Coach Don Nelson called a timeout, but the slide continued. The Warriors missed their next six shots and dropped as many as eight points back, never to catch up again.

The Warriors weren't as good in the first half Friday in Phoenix, entering the break down 62-51. But they were equally disinterested in the third quarter, allowing the Suns to drop in six of nine shots in one stretch and get to the foul line on seven occasions as they easily extended their lead to 22 before coasting home.

So the Warriors, who felt it was imperative to get off to a fast start given about as easy an early schedule as imaginable, are 0-2. More important, they have only added to the negativity that dominated their off-season and start of training camp.

That said, there's still hope. An upcoming seven-game stretch that features all 2008-09 lottery teams -- the Grizzlies, Clippers, Kings, Timberwolves, Pacers, Knicks and Bucks -- creates some optimism.

So far, that's only gotten the Warriors to halftime in decent shape. It's been all downhill after that.

SUNS 123, WARRIORS 101: If Stephen Curry someday is talked about in Steve Nash terms, the rookie will be able to look back on their first head-to-head matchup and discuss just how far he had to climb to get there. Nash dominated Curry in the matchup of similar styles, the Canadian standout cramming 18 points and 20 assists into 37 minutes, whereas the first-year Warrior could retaliate with only 12 points and four assists in 39 minutes. "He's the best or one of the best point guards I've ever played against," Curry concluded afterward. The mismatch wasn't the only one on the court as the Warriors, in falling to 0-2, were outplayed at every starting position and dominated on the boards.