In an electrifying clash at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Houston Rockets edged past the Cleveland Cavaliers with a narrow 135-131 victory on Saturday night. Spearheading the triumph was Amen Thompson, who recorded his second career triple-double, stunning both fans and analysts alike. Thompson's standout performance, marked by 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, proved pivotal in the Rockets' success, as they managed to topple the Eastern Conference leaders for the second time within just four days.
The Rockets' offensive strategy was bolstered by Alperin Sengun and Jalen Green, each contributing a robust 26 points to the scoreline. Notably, Fred VanVleet added to the team's efforts with 20 points and six assists. This strategic collaboration on the court led Houston to clinch another victory against Cleveland, following their 109-108 win at home earlier in the week.
For Cleveland, Darius Garland was the standout performer, scoring 27 of his impressive 39 points in a fierce second-half effort. Despite his valiant attempts alongside teammate Donovan Mitchell, who chipped in with 25 of his 33 points post-halftime, the Cavaliers could not stave off their third consecutive defeat, slipping to second place in the NBA rankings behind Oklahoma City.
Despite Evan Mobley's return after missing several games due to a right calf strain, his presence was largely muted. Although back on the floor, Mobley's contribution was limited to seven points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots over 29 minutes—a testament to the Rockets' defensive setup.
The duel reached a thrilling crescendo when Garland made two free throws to tie the game with just under two minutes left, sparking hopes for a Cavaliers comeback. However, an 10-2 run led by the Rockets, notably through five crucial points from Thompson, extended their lead to 134-126, effectively sealing Cleveland's fate. A missed opportunity for Mitchell to level the play with a two-point difference occurred in the final 27 seconds, leaving Cleveland's fans in surprise.
Mitchell, despite starting strong by scoring the Cavaliers' first eight points, faltered midway, missing 10 consecutive shots before regaining some composure in the third period. He ended his night with 11 out of 27 field goal completions and four of 11 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, both teams set their sights on upcoming fixtures with renewed vigor. The Rockets gear up for a challenging encounter against Boston, while the Cavaliers will strive to rebound against Detroit.
