On Saturday evening, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Houston Rockets by a score of 117-103.
Although the Wine and Gold suffered their third loss in their last four games, one of the team’s individuals played particularly well off the bench.
In his 12th 20-point game of the season, and first in over two months, swingman Caris LeVert tallied team-highs of 21 points and seven assists. He also recorded a game-high three steals and one block.
The 29-year-old shot 8-for-14 (57.1%) from the field, 1-for-4 (25%) from three-point range, and 4-for-5 (80%) from the free-throw line. LeVert’s 21 points were his most in a game since January 11, when he also scored 21 off the bench in Cleveland’s 111-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the 2024 NBA Paris Game.
Against Houston, he scored eight points in the first half, shooting 4-for-6 (66.7%) from the field and missing his only attempt from beyond the arc.
As a team, the Cavaliers were outscored 70-54, as they shot 47.6% from the field and 33.3% from deep. On the other side, the Rockets shot 56.0% from the field and 47.6% from three-point range.
LeVert then led all players with 13 second-half points, shooting 4-for-8 (50%) from the field and 1-for-3 from beyond the arc, while attempting all five of his free throws in the game’s final 24 minutes. He also tied a game-high with four second-half assists.
Up next, the Wine and Gold will conclude their three-game road trip with a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at 7 p.m.
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