Houston and Cleveland went back and forth throughout the entire first half, and the Rockets took a 49-48 lead at halftime. That trend continued continued for most of the second half, but the Rockets ramped up their intensity late in the game and pulled away for the victory.
Turning Point:
Houston opened the fourth quarter on a 15-5 run, finally creating some distance between themselves and the Cavs.
Key Stat:
With LeBron James and the newly-acquiring Iman Shumpert missing tonight's game for Cleveland with injuries, depth was an issue for the Cavs. Houston's bench outscored Cleveland's 37-13, which ultimately proved to be the difference in this tightly-contested game.
Cleveland MVP:
Kyrie Irving had an absolutely huge night for the Cavs, dropping 38 points. Kevin Love was also productive, scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
Houston MVP:
James Harden and Dwight Howard both struggled shooting the ball (12/31 combined shooting on the night) but came through when it mattered most. Harden finished with 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, while Howard finished with 17 points and 19 rebounds.
What’s Next?
Cleveland will start a five-game West Coast road trip against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, while Houston travels to New York to take on the Knicks tomorrow night.
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