The Houston Rockets continued to prove that they're a real threat this season when they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 109-108. Now 29-14, the Rockets have the fourth-best record in the league and are the only team with wins over the Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder-- the best team in each conference with identical 36-7 records.
The Rockets hit two free throws late while the Cavaliers missed two free throws seconds later, allowing Houston to hold off Cleveland .
With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.
Down by as much as 13 points against the Rockets, the Cavs found a defensive spark in their zone-based scheme from big man Jarrett Allen.
The Cavs are rolling thanks in large part to Garland's play, but the East — and Cleveland's — backcourt is a crowded one.
Amen Thompson had his second career triple-double, Alperin Sengun and Jalen Green scored 26 points apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 135-131 on Saturday night.
Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds left and Darius Garland missed two of three free throws after that to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 109-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Garland now has made 803 and counting three-pointers during his first six seasons with the Cavaliers. DG still has a long way to continue moving up this list, though. Kevin Love is in second place with 1,096 three-pointers, and LeBron James leads the way with 1,251.
Cleveland looks to stop its three-game slide when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on Detroit. Monday's meeting is the first this season between the squads.
We have officially reached (and passed) the halfway point of the season for the Wine & Gold. The Cavs still own the top mark in the NBA, and are at the top of many statistical categories, especially on the offensive end.
The Cleveland Cavs learned they have an All-Star starter. Will their wish for the other members of the core four to join Donovan Mitchell be granted?
It's Mitchell's sixth straight All-Star appearance and second career starting nod, both of which have come with the Cavs.