In weird end, Rockets stun Cavaliers as Alperen Sengun hits decisive free throws

HOUSTON — The Rockets capped a short two-game homestand on the Toyota Heart with a weird 109-108 victory Wednesday (field rating) towards the Riders. Cleveland (36-7) continues to have the very best report within the Jap Convention and the NBA, whereas Houston (29-14) stays No. 2 within the West Rating.

In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the sport was tied at 107 within the closing seconds. Houston’s Amen Thompson compelled Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell to overlook a three-pointer with simply over 5 seconds left — and from there, chaos ensued.

Rockets middle Alperen Sengun picked off Cavaliers large man Jarrett Allen for the rebound and drew a unfastened ball foul, with Cleveland going over the restrict. That despatched Sengun to the road, and he made each free throws to offer Houston a pair.

After a timeout, the Cavaliers handed the ball to Darius Garland, who was fouled on a 3-point shot by Rockets ahead Tari Eason. In a extremely inadvisable transfer, Eason contested the shot and ended up in Garland’s touchdown house, making it a flagrant foul on a 3-point try – leading to three free throws and possession of the ball basketball for Cleveland.

However Garland, who entered Wednesday capturing higher than 90 p.c from 3-point vary, gave the Rockets the lead again by in some way lacking two of three free throws. Within the ensuing inbounds, Mitchell missed his final probability shot as time expired, permitting Houston to flee with the victory.

Particular person statistics of notice included:

• Sengun: 18 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists; 7 of 13 on photographs (53.8%), 4 of 6 on free throws (66.7%)

• Fred VanVleet: 26 factors, 5 assists, 6 turnovers; 7 of 12 at 3 factors (58.3%)

• Thompson: 16 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 5 turnovers; 7 out of 15 photographs (46.7%)

• Cam Whitmore: 16 factors, 2 blocks in 21 minutes; 6 of 12 photographs (50.0%), 2 of 5 from 3 factors (40.0%)

• Season: 12 factors, 6 rebounds, 3 steals in 20 minutes; 3 out of 5 at 3 factors (60.0%)

• Garland (Cavaliers): 26 factors, 5 assists, 3 steals; 10 of 21 on photographs (47.6%), 3 of 6 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 3 of 8 on free throws (37.5%)

• Mitchell (Cavaliers): 19 factors, 3 assists; 7 of 21 photographs (33.3%), 1 of 8 from 3 factors (12.5%)

• Allen (Cavaliers): 17 factors, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals; 7 out of 11 photographs (63.6%)

• Ty Jerome (Cavaliers): 18 factors, 3 steals in 25 minutes; 6 of 12 on photographs (50.0%), 3 of seven on 3 factors (42.9%)

After struggling on the glass in Monday’s defeat in Detroit, the Rockets (who leads the NBA in rebounding for the 2024-25 season) turned issues round with a 53-45 benefit towards the Cavaliers. That helped overcome 22 Houston turnovers, in comparison with simply 13 for Cleveland.

Led by VanVleet’s seven makes, the Rockets made 15 of 34 3-pointers (44.1%). Cleveland made 13 of 41 3-pointers (31.7%), and this differential proved decisive.

Each groups have been with out their normal starter at energy ahead, with Cleveland’s Evan Mobley sidelined with a strained proper calf and Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. out with a fractured proper calf. the left hand which didn’t pull.

January 22 Rockets-Cavaliers: Full highlights

January 22 post-match reactions and interviews

What’s subsequent

In a return go to and fast rematch, the Rockets are scheduled to face the Cavaliers once more on Saturday night time. Tip-off at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland might be at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.

This sport units up a troublesome four-game street journey for Houston wherein every opponent has a successful report.

Extra: As All-Star Nods, Rockets Star Alperen Sengun Credit Ime Udoka’s Confidence in Him

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