The Houston Rockets (9-3) have added another defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-7). James Harden shone with a triple double. In the final phase, the rockets were able to rely on Clint Capela. Houston won 117:113.
At the beginning of the second quarter, it looked alarming for the Cavs. Eric Gordon ran hot from the outside and the hosts’ lead grew to 18 points. But then the jog trophy sneaked in and Cleveland hung up a 42-point quarter. And who animated the offense of the Cavs? Of course, Jeff Green, who scored 20 points (8/9 FG) in this section.
After the switch, however, the rockets dominated again, which were already in the bonus after just a few minutes and so, in the person of James Harden (35 points, 8/21 FG, 13/14 FT, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals) regularly marched to the line. LeBron James (33 points, 15/24 FG, 7 assists) were also better in the hosts’ hands and so they had a little padding to get into the final section (100:93). Houston continued to drop off, but the Cavs came back with a late run. 100 seconds before the end Green narrowed to a point, but the Rockets had an Alley Oop on Clint Capela and Houston won.
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For Houston, Capela (19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks) and PJ Tucker (11 points, 8 rebounds) were decisive in the crunchtime with their hustle on the offensive board. Trevor Ariza (17) and Gordon (20) also contributed a total of 7 threesomes to the game.
At Cleveland it was Green (27 points, 11/15 FG) who released James. Kevin Love (17) had good moments, but fouled out in the final phase, missing from the baskets, which Houston mercilessly punished in the crunchtime. J.R. Smith scored 13 points.
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James Harden. Thanks to him, the rockets prevented the Cavs from making a comeback. The offense was not always fluent after the strong first quarter, but the bearded man took his team on his back and scuttled four threesomes out of the dribble in the third quarter alone. If he didn’t take the distance throw, he moved into the zone and cheated himself as many free throws as he can. In the end, it was on the line just as often as the entire Cavs team (14 FT).
Jae Crowder. It’s like a foreign body in his new team. He remained in the first round without a single throwing attempt and had hardly any influence on the game with his defense, also because he mostly only had to guard the shooters in the corners. Lost some important rebound duels in Crunchtime, resulting in Houston surviving through Second Chance Points.
Cavs coach Ty Lue Iman Shumpert was dusted for the injured Derrick Rose. The Shooting Guard was supposed to give the playmaker and indeed: LeBron let him for the most part allow it. Shump made a more than respectable figure and did not overdo at any time. 7 points (3/6 FG) and 5 assists did not face a single ball loss. Only towards the end of the game he was again only a supporting actor, James threw the show.