Rockets 114, Cavaliers 104: Houston dominates boards, holds off Cleveland rally

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson cautioned his team that their recent level of play had to drastically improve for them to keep pace against the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, the Cavs didn't heed his warning. The Rockets used their physical play to dominate the boards in their 114-104 win over Cleveland on Wednesday at Rocket Arena. Houston (10-3) rode the hot hand of power forward Alperen Sengun's game-high 28 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, an 18-year veteran, added 20 points. The Cavs (10-6) got plenty of open looks but never really knocked down shots with any regularity. Forward De'Andre Hunter had a team-high 25 points and guard Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter. "I knew something was coming," Mitchell said. "They see me as the threat I am. It's the ultimate form of respect. (Rockets coach Ime Udoka) found a way to manipulate the game." Udoka instructed Houston guard Amen Thompson to deny Mitchell the ball. The six-time All-Star was just one of seven from the field through three quarters before breaking out in the final period by making 7 of 10 attempts. Cleveland whittled down a 22-point deficit to two, 90-88, on Mitchell's pull-up jumper with 6:09 to play. But the Cavs were unable to prevail against the upper-echelon team. "I knew what time it was," Mitchell said. "It's my job. I didn't want to force it." Houston, called a "historically great rebounding team" by Atkinson, outrebounded Cleveland, 51-39. The Rockets had a 16-10 edge on the offensive glass. "(The offensive rebounds) are the biggest part of their offense," Atkinson said. "We're not built that way. We're not getting offensive boards." The Cavs were particularly poor at the foul line and made just 20 of 32. "We need those free throws," Hunter said. "It's something we have to work on." Power forward Evan Mobley was bad at the foul line, making only four of 10 free throws. He finished with 18 points and six rebounds. "(The free throws) are such an important part of the game," Atkinson said. "We've got to knock them down. It will turn. We're not making them right now and it's hurting us." The Cavs outscored Houston 30-17 in the third quarter to narrow the deficit to four, 74-70, heading into the final period. Houston opened up a 17-point lead at halftime. Two-way player Nae'Qwan Tomlin made his first start of the season for the Cavs at shooting guard in place of the injured Sam Merrill, who has a sprained right hand. Tomlin got in a scuffle with Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. with 5:39 left in the second quarter. Both players were assessed technical fouls, while Smith also was hit with a flagrant-one foul. "We can't let anyone come in here and punk us," Hunter said." 'Qwan brings that every night. He's everywhere." Cleveland was also playing without point guard Darius Garland (toe), Jaylon Tyson (concussion) and Max Strus (foot). Both Garland and Tyson could return to the lineup Friday against the Indiana Pacers. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.