The Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to five games with a 117-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers during Saturday’s NBA action, marking a significant push towards the play-in spot in the Western Conference. Jalen Green‘s exceptional performance, featuring 26 points and 11 rebounds, propelled the Rockets forward.
“We started off pretty hot and were moving the ball,” Green said. “Once they were falling, it was a confidence builder. We were just doing what we’ve been doing, started hitting shots and did our thing.”
Contributions from Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, who added 20 and 18 points respectively, along with Fred VanVleet‘s 13 points and 16 assists, underscored Houston’s offensive depth. Their combined effort helped the Rockets to maintain a significant lead throughout the game, outmatching the Cavaliers in both three-pointers and points in the paint.
Houston’s commanding 70-54 lead by halftime and a 25-point advantage entering the fourth quarter highlighted their dominance, leaving the Cavaliers struggling to find a response.
“Early in the ballgame, you could see we were getting outworked and out-scrapped,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “For us, the defense sets our tone and when we don’t do that, we don’t give yourself a chance to win.”
For the Cavaliers, Caris LeVert led the scoring with 21 points, but the team felt the absence of key players due to injuries. Donovan Mitchell, recently back from a knee injury, acknowledged his own performance issues, which affected his game.
“I mean, no disrespect to some guys, but I’m not really blowing by people right now, and that’s disappointing and it’s affecting me,” Mitchell said. “I want to be out there, but it’s clear as day, even to myself. I can’t fool myself. We’ll get it right and be ready for when that time comes.”
Mitchell’s struggle and decision to rest the next game underscore the challenges faced by the Cavaliers as they look to secure a strong position heading into the playoffs.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers remain hopeful for a resurgence as the postseason approaches, with veteran center Tristan Thompson returning to the lineup after a suspension. As Cleveland navigates through injuries and form fluctuations, the team’s focus remains on peak performance for the playoffs.
“This is a marathon,” Niang said. “We’re looking to play our best basketball going into the playoffs. Obviously, we have some injuries and some stuff we need to get figured out. As they say in the Boston Marathon, we’re at Heartbreak Hill. We’re climbing and clawing, and that’s what we’re going to do to keep improving and keep getting better.”
As both teams look ahead to their next matchups, the Rockets will aim to maintain their winning momentum, while the Cavaliers seek to regain their footing in the Eastern Conference standings.
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