The Houston Rockets continued to prove that they're a real threat this season when they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 109-108. Now 29-14, the Rockets have the fourth-best record in the league and are the only team with wins over the Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder-- the best team in each conference with identical 36-7 records.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a winning machine lately, and it looked like they had put themselves in an improbable position to pick up another victory on Wednesday night. After the Houston Rockets had taken a 13-point fourth quarter lead at home and seemed poised to close the Cavaliers out,
The Rockets hit two free throws late while the Cavaliers missed two free throws seconds later, allowing Houston to hold off Cleveland .
With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.
Fans all made the same joke on Wednesday about Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland's late-game choke job.
Garland had an uncharacteristic night from the charity stripe, going 3-of-8 on free-throw attempts in what ended up being a one-point loss. Garland did lead Cleveland in scoring, however, racking up 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field.
The Houston Rockets barely escaped Wednesday with what may be their biggest win of the season.Houston defeated the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 109-108 after Darius Garland failed to convert two of three free throws with 2.
Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds left and Darius Garland missed two of three free throws after that to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 109-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although they're tired and injured, after their frustrating loss to the Rockets, the Cavs weren't making any excuses.
The Rockets raised eyebrows around the league after sweeping a home and away back to back against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.
Darius Garland is a 90% free throw shooter ... lead at the free throw line with 2.1 seconds remaining against the Houston Rockets. But he missed back-to-back free throws to ensure a 109-108 ...
Amen Thompson had his second career triple-double, Alperin Sengun and Jalen Green scored 26 points apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 135-131 on Saturday night.