What To Expect In First Houston Rockets-Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup

In their most recent game, the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 127-119 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Tonight, the Cavaliers will host the Houston Rockets in the second game of a four-game homestand.

Here are four things to expect in the first of two matchups this season between Houston and Cleveland.

1. Mitchell The Point Guard

Wirth Darius Garland out for several weeks due to a fractured jaw, Donovan Mitchell has stepped up to the task of becoming the Cavaliers’ starting point guard for the foreseeable future.

It did not take him long to embrace this new role, as Mitchell tallied 22 points and a career-high 13 assists in the Wine and Gold’s most recent contest this past Saturday night.

2. Cavs In A Three-Point Groove

This season, the Cavaliers rank in the bottom half of the NBA in three-pointers made (11.6, 24th) and attempted (33.5, 17th) per game, as well as three-point percentage (34.7%, 24th).

However, their last three games have been a different story. Cleveland has averaged 15.3 three-pointers made on 40.0 attempts per contest, while shooting 38.3% from behind the arc in this span.

3. Not Too Many Points

Both the Rockets (109.9 PPG, 27th) and Cavaliers (111.1 PPG, 24th) rank in the league’s bottom-seven in points per game.

While both teams have significantly changed since their last meeting on March 26, they combined to score 199 points in a 108-91 Wine and Gold victory in Cleveland.

4. A Substantial Şengün Stat Line

Houston center Alperen Şengün is having a terrific season so far.

The 2021 first-round pick is leading the Rockets in points (19.7) and rebounds (9.0) per game, while ranking second on the team in assists per game (5.2) and double-doubles (seven).