Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game preview

SB Nation

The Cleveland Cavaliers obviously haven’t gotten off to the start that they envisioned. At 17-15, they certainly aren’t a bad team, but expecations are a pain in the ass. Last season’s Cavs squad had three

separate 12+ game winning streaks and didn’t lose their 15th game until Game 74, when they had all but wrapped up the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Injuries hampered them in the playoffs and they lost to the plucky underdogs from Indiana.

They’ve also dealt with injuries this season as well. None of their players have played in all 32 of their games. None have even played in 31. Evan Mobley has missed six games and came back on Christmas so he’s probably not 100%. Jarrett Allen, he of the “gets excited about three second violations when he does them all the time” fame, has missed 11 games. Darius Garland has missed half of their games and is dealing with a toe problem that seems likely to persist all season.

As of today, the only key member of the Cavaliers that’s out is Max Strus. They’re healthy again and looking to make a push in the East. If they can find the mojo that led them to last season’s success, they could be a tough out in the postseason. With the East as open as everyone expected, Cleveland certainly has a shot at getting to the Finals.

The first matchup between these two teams might have portended the inability of the Houston Rockets to put teams away that we’ve seen lately. The Rockets led by 22 midway through the third quarter and about nine minutes later it was a one-point game. Cleveland had used up their powder on the comeback and Aaron Holiday was the hero that night. Alperen Sengun also walked down Mobley twice in the final minutes to clinch the victory.

In terms of as a team, Cleveland is fourth in three-point rate and as a result are 22nd in free throw rate. They don’t turn the ball over and do a good job of turning their opponents over. Basically, they want to use the math problem to win games but haven’t fully bought into the free throw approach.