Rockets Win Fifth Consecutive Game in Blowout Victory Over Cavaliers
HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets were in one of their worst stretches of the season the last time they played against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The results led to the Rockets sustaining a five-point overtime loss inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Dec. 18.
Nearly three months later, the Rockets got revenge on the Cavaliers amid a 117-103 victory inside the Toyota Center Saturday night. The win gave the Rockets their fifth consecutive victory while staying in reach of the Play-In Tournament.
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the first quarter at Toyota Center.
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Jalen Green had another great scoring performance, finishing with a team-best 26 points on 9 of 20 shooting, 4 of 9 from behind the arc. In addition to scoring over 20 points for the sixth time over the previous nine games, he recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 11 rebounds in the win.
Green was one of five starters who scored in double-figures for the Rockets. Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Fred VanVleet recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 15 assists and 13 points. He registered a dozen during the first half, which helped the Rockets take a 70-54 lead into the halftime break.
Houston had one of its best offensive performances of the season, shooting 48.0 percent from the field. But the Rockets relied upon their defense to come away with the blowout victory.
The Rockets forced the Cavaliers into committing 16 turnovers, which resulted in 16 additional points. They also held Cleveland to 31.6 percent shooting from behind the arc with 12 made 3-point field goals.
Caris Levert led the Cavaliers in scoring with 21 points off the bench. Gorges Niang added 14 points. Cleveland has now dropped three of their last four games.
