Steph Curry, Warriors hang on for impressive win over Rockets

The Golden State Warriors have looked dramatically improved since acquiring Jimmy Butler III in a trade deadline deal. But, prior to Thursday’s game against the Houston Rockets, all of their performances have come with some parenthetical context.

An impressive win in Butler’s debut came against a paltry Chicago Bulls team, and at one point Golden State trailed by 24 points. A nice win two days later came against a Milwaukee Bucks team that was playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo. And Wednesday night’s loss, while thrilling, came against a Dallas Mavericks team that didn’t have Anthony Davis.

So facing a Rockets team perched near the top of the Western Conference standings — and on the road,…