Game Summary
The Cavaliers will wrap up their two-game trip today at the Toyota Center where they will face the Houston Rockets for their second regular season matchup. Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Cleveland (37-22) has won 10 straight games over Western Conference opponents, their longest since an 11-game streak over the West from Nov. 3, 2008-Jan. 16, 2009.
The Cavs are 7-3 in their last 10 road games, which includes a perfect 3-0 mark over the West. Cleveland has held the West to less than 100 points seven times during their current 10-game winning streak over the conference, while also holding them to a combined .424 shooting from the field during that stretch. Seven of their 10 straight victories over the West have been by at least 10 points, outscoring them 109.0 to 98.5 since Jan. 15. The Wine and Gold have also held eight straight Western Conference opponents to under .440 shooting from the field.
Cleveland is an NBA-best 18-3 (.857) since Jan. 15. During that stretch, the Cavs rank 1st in points per game differential (+11.3), 1st in three-pointers made (233), 2nd in field goal percentage (.471), 3rd in points per game (107.3) and 6th in three-point percentage (.368). Defensively since that time, the Wine and Gold are 3rd in opponent field goal percentage (.420), 4th in opponent three-point percentage (.323) and 8th in opponent points per game (96.0).
Houston (40-18) will seek to sweep their current five-game homestand. The Rockets haven't won five straight overall since opening the season 6-0 and another win would pull them within 1 1/2 games of the Memphis Grizzlies in the Southwest Division.
Rockets All-Star guard, James Harden, missed 12 of 18 shots in Cleveland in January and finished with 21 points. The NBA's leading scorer had a combined 65 points and made 19 of 32 attempts (59.4 percent) in his prior two matchups.
Where to Watch:
Tune into ABC.
WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
What will make the difference?
Learn more about tonight’s matchup.
Get into the conversation with other die-hards.
Current Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic
Status Update: Anderson Varejao, (Left Achilles Tendon Rupture, Out), Shawn Marion, (Left Hip Strain, Out), Kyrie Irving, (Left Shoulder Strain, Out)
Rockets: PG - Patrick Beverley, SG - James Harden, SF - Trevor Ariza PF - Terrence Jones, C - Donatas Motiejunas
Status Update: (Rockets) - Kostas Papanikolao, (Sprained Right Ankle, Out), Dwight Howard, (Right Knee Edem, Out)
Head-to-Head Matchup
In the two teams' last matchup on January 7, Kevin Love recorded his 19th double-double of the season (275th of career) after finishing with 17 points, a team-high 16 rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes of play.
Tristan Thompson shot a season-best 7-7 from the free throw line and tallied 11 points six rebounds, one steal and a block in 32 minutes.
The Cavs took a 74-73 lead into the fourth quarter but was outscored 32-19 in the final frame. Cleveland knocked down 10 three pointers on the nigh, and defensively, the Cavaliers forced 17 Rockets turnovers.
The Cavs trail the all-time series against the Rockets 42-79 (29-31 Home, 12-48 Road).
Where to Catch the Action
TV: ABC, Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22, @FSOAllieOop and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After tonight's game, the Cavs return home (again, briefly) for a Tuesday night matchup with the Boston Celtics at The Q before getting back on the road for a pair of huge Eastern Conference matchups – at Toronto on Wednesday and Atlanta on Friday.