The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of only three NBA teams with a worse record than the Houston Rockets, and they entered Wednesday on the second consecutive night and with 10 losses in their last 11 games.
Even so, it was still not enough for the Rockets (11-19) to end their losing streak, which already reaches nine games and is the longest in the franchise in more than 20 years. Overall, Houston is 0-9 since Christian Wood’s ankle injury on February 4, after 7-1 in the previous eight games.
With the Rockets suddenly out of size after Wood’s injury and the release of DeMarcus Cousins, Cavs center Jarrett Allen (26 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks) rose above PJ Tucker, Jae’Sean Tate and all the pieces of the frontline of Houston, in addition to Justin Patton. Allen was dominant in Cleveland’s 112-96 victory (box score), hitting 10 out of 11 (90.9%).
John Wall led the Rockets’ small size with 20 points in defeat.
“The defense was not very good,” said coach Stephen Silas after the game. “The offense was disjointed. Too bad. “
Wall, a five-time All-Star and clear leader of the team, made more targeted criticisms of Houston’s sudden lack of size. “We definitely need some kind of paint presence,” said Wall of Cleveland.
Veteran guards Victor Oladipo and Eric Gordon each played for the Rockets after being listed as questionable for injuries, but it still wasn’t enough. Oladipo and Gordon scored 17 points each, but hit only 3 out of 15 in the 3 point range (20.0%). Meanwhile, the Cavaliers hit 16 of 36 on 3 points (44.4%), led by 4 of 4 from Dylan Windler.
The Rockets will end a two-game trip Friday in Tampa, where the Toronto Raptors are playing this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The complaint is scheduled for 18:30 Central. For now, here is a collection of highlights and post-game reactions from Cleveland.
Stephen Silas
John Wall
Victor Oladipo