Cavs Surge Back in 2nd Half, But Fall Short to Rockets

*** The Cavaliers have been able to overcome some slow starts on their recent homestand. But mounting a comeback over the shorthanded Grizzlies and Bucks is a different story than doing so against the rough-and-tumble Rockets.

Houston came out swinging on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena – taking a two-touchdown lead after one quarter and a 20-point bulge at the break. The Wine & Gold mounted a big third quarter push, but ran out of gas in the fourth as the Rockets pulled away late to seal the 114-104 decision and snap Cleveland’s two-game win streak.

De’Andre Hunter snapped out of a long-range shooting slump to pace the Cavaliers with 25 points, going 5-for-8 from long-range, 6-of-11 from the floor overall, adding four boards and a pair of assists in the loss. 

The Rockets – one of just two Western Conference teams to sweep the Cavs last year – had their number again on Wednesday, frustrating Donovan Mitchell for most of the night, dominating on the boards and second-chance scoring. Cleveland didn’t help itself against Houston, going just 20-of-32 from the free throw line. 

“It's a mental thing and that's a step for us,” said Mitchell, lamenting Cleveland’s struggles from the stripe. “You’ve gotta convert – they’re free, they’re there. You put the work in, you put the time in. But that's on us. We’re doing a good job getting there. You can get on somebody every night, but it's not just tonight. Everybody has to do their part.”

Houston held Mitchell – the league’s 5^th-leading scorer coming off three straight 30-point games – to just two points through the first three quarters. But Cleveland’s six-time All-Star began to percolate in the fourth, netting 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the final period in the comeback attempt. Mitchell went 8-of-17 overall on the night, 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. 

Evan Mobley chipped in with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor, but just 4-of-10 from the stripe, adding six boards. 

With Sam Merrill out with a hand injury – plus the Rockets’ lengthy lineup – Nae’Qwan Tomlin got his first start of the season and rounded out the Cavaliers starters in double-figures with 10 points. 

Jarrett Allen notched eight points and led Cleveland’s starters with seven boards. But overall, Houston’s starting five dominated on the boards, 43-22. 

Craig Porter Jr. was Cleveland’s most effective reserve on Wednesday, finishing with nine points, seven boards, five assists and a pair of blocks.  

Alperen Sengun led both teams with 28 points, 11 boards and seven assists, adding a steal and a block in the win. Aaron Holiday led all reserves with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes off the bench. 

*** The Cavaliers close out their season-long six-game homestand over the weekend – welcoming the Pacers to town on Friday night before closing out against the Clippers on Sunday evening. The next night, Cleveland travels to Toronto in the final game before Thanksgiving. After the break, the Wine and Gold head to Atlanta on Friday night before wrapping up the month of November the following Monday when Boston rolls into Rocket Arena.