The Houston Rockets edged past the Cleveland Cavaliers with a thrilling score of 135-131 on January 25, 2025, marking the Cavaliers' third consecutive loss, their longest streak of the season. The game, held at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, showcased the impressive performances of several players, particularly the Rockets' Amen Thompson, who secured his second career triple-double.
Thompson, alongside teammates Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, contributed significantly to the Rockets' success. Thompson finished the night with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, demonstrating his versatility and ability to control the game. Sengun and Green each added 26 points, helping Houston seize victory for the second time against Cleveland this week, following their narrow 109-108 win just four days earlier.
The Cavaliers struggled from the outset, finding it challenging to maintain defensive pressure throughout the game. Cleveland's head coach, Kenny Atkinson, had emphasized the need for strong rebounding and defensive efforts before the game, stating, "A lot of it in today’s game is, can you deter those perimeter crashes?" Despite this focus, the Cavaliers were dominated in the paint, allowing the Rockets to capitalize on their defensive lapses.
The game began with the Cavaliers taking the lead, but it wasn't long before the Rockets found their footing. Houston's aggressive offensive strategy paid off, as they went on to establish significant leads, outscoring Cleveland 68-54 by halftime. The Cavaliers managed to find some rhythm later, fueled by star guard Darius Garland, who finished the night with 39 points, showing remarkable control of the court with his ability to drive, shoot, and dish out assists.
Despite Garland's impressive performance, the Cavaliers could not overcome the deficit completely, even as they made valiant attempts at comebacks throughout the night. The game was rife with pivotal moments; particularly notable was Garland's clutch free throws with 1:51 left on the clock, tying the game at 124-124. Yet, the Rockets responded decisively, going on a 10-2 run to secure their victory.
Donovan Mitchell also shone for Cleveland, scoring 33 points, 25 of which came in the second half. He had started the game strong but struggled midway through, failing to find his shot, leading to tensions as the time wound down. He reflected on the experience, noting, "We haven’t really had much adversity, so this is good to have."
Throughout the game, the Cavaliers faced significant challenges from the Rockets' offensive efficiency. Houston shot 54.9% from the field and was able to find success from beyond the arc as well, hitting 46.4% of their 3-point attempts. The Rockets' combination of inside force with their big men and perimeter shooting proved too much for the Cavaliers' defense. Cleveland's lack of defensive discipline persisted, and they failed to contest shots effectively.
Atkinson's dissatisfaction with his team's performance was evident postgame as he expressed concerns about their paint protection, stating, "They were invading our basket. They’re invading our paint." He also lamented the offensive rebounds the Cavaliers allowed, which proved particularly damaging throughout the night.
The loss is particularly poignant as it reveals structural issues within the Cavaliers' gameplay. They currently sit at 36-9 for the season and lead the Eastern Conference, but recent performances have raised questions about their defensive capabilities. Cleveland's recent lineup volatility, due to injuries to key players like Evan Mobley, has also contributed to their inconsistency. Mobley returned from injury but did not make significant contributions, scoring only seven points.
Following the defeat, the Cavaliers will need to recalibrate quickly, facing the Detroit Pistons next. With the trade deadline looming and the All-Star break approaching, the Cavaliers need to address their defensive weaknesses to realize their championship aspirations.
The Rockets, fresh off their two victories against the Cavaliers, will also seek to maintain their momentum as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Boston Celtics. The performances of players like Thompson, who was pivotal for Houston, will be key as they move forward this season.