On Saturday January 25th at 7:30pm eastern time, the 36-8 Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the 29-14 Houston Rockets at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland Ohio. The Cavaliers previous game was a road loss the night before to the Philadelphia 76ers 132-129. The Rockets previous game was a 109-108 win at home over the Cavaliers last Wednesday. Out for the Cavaliers was Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert were listed as questionable. Mobley started the game; LeVert did not play. Out for the Rockets was Jabari Smith Jr. with a fractured left metacarpal. The Cavaliers were looking to avenge their Wednesday night loss to Houston and to end a two-game losing streak.

The game started with aggressive play from Jarrett Allen, but after one quarter of play the Cavaliers trailed the Rockets 33-27. In the second quarter, the Rockets added to their lead and led at halftime 68-54. In the third quarter, the Cavaliers fought back. But the Rockets added to their lead and led the Cavaliers after three quarters of play 101-84. In the fourth and final quarter, the Cavaliers came back to tie the game in under two minutes left to play. But the Rockets pulled away to hand the Cavaliers their 9th loss of the season 135-131.

The Cavaliers’ leading scorer was Darius Garland with 39 points in 36 minutes. Right behind him was Donovan Mitchell with 33 points in 37 minutes of play. Up next for the 36-9 Cavaliers is hosting the 23-21 Detroit Pistons on Monday January 27th at 7 pm eastern time, at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The Cavaliers just lost their third game in a row for the first time this season. The opportunity to get back on track is Monday against Detroit. The best way to get back on track is to do it with a win, and it will be a much-needed win.