The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of only three teams in the NBA with a weaker record than the Houston Rockets and entered the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday with 10 losses in the last 11 games.
Even so, it was still not enough for the Rockets (11-19) to end their losing streak, which is now nine games and the longest for the franchise in more than 20 years. Overall, Houston is 0-9 since Christian Wood’s ankle injury on Feb. 4 after going 7-1 in the previous eight games.
With the Rockets suddenly out of shape 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 every piece in front of the field. from Houston, except for Justin Patton. Allen was dominant in Cleveland’s 112-96 victory (boxing score), shooting 10 of 11 (90.9%).
John Wall led the undersized Rockets with 20 points in defeat.
“The defense wasn’t very good,” head coach Stephen Silas said after the game. “The offense was dismantled. Bad all the time. ”
Wall, a five-time All-Star and the team’s clear leader, offered more targeted criticism of Houston’s sudden lack of size. “We definitely need a certain type of paint,” said Wall of Cleveland.
Veteran guards Victor Oladipo and Eric Gordon each played for the Rockets after being listed as doubtful with injuries, but it still wasn’t enough. Oladipo and Gordon scored 17 points each, but shot only 3 of 15 in the 3-point range (20.0%). Meanwhile, the Cavaliers shot 16-of-36 on sorting (44.4%), led by 4-of-4 from Dylan Windler.
The Rockets will end a two-game trip to Tampa on Friday, where the Toronto Raptors play this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central. For now, here’s a collection of post-game highlights and reactions from Cleveland.
Stephen Silas
John Wall
Victor Oladipo