Rockets stars Alperen Sengun (24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) and Fred VanVleet (27 points, 17 assists, 8 rebounds) played extremely well on Monday night in Cleveland, but the big man’s bid for a clinching buzzer-beater rimmed out in regulation. The Cavaliers then pulled away in overtime, 135-130 (box score).
It was night two of a road back-to-back for Houston, which seemed to run out of steam during the extra five minutes. The Rockets (13-11) finished a three-game road trip at 1-2 after also losing Sunday’s game in Milwaukee, while Cleveland (15-12) won its second straight.
The Cavs were led by superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who had 37 points and 6 assists while shooting 14-of-27 overall (51.9%) and 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%). Cleveland hit 19-of-48 from 3-point range as a team, led by five off the bench by Sam Merrill — who finished with 19 points in 24 minutes while shooting 50% on treys.
Other noteworthy Rockets performances during Monday’s game, both in positive and negative ways, consisted of:
- Tari Eason: 14 points, 8 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80%)
- Jalen Green: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 2-of-12 shooting (16.7%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 5 points, 7 rebounds; 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
- Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
- Jeff Green: 15 points, 3 rebounds in 24 minutes; 6-of-6 shooting, 3-of-3 on free throws
- Aaron Holiday: 14 points, 2 rebounds in 17 minutes; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Monday’s game in Cleveland, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a return home to Houston, where they have won 11 straight games. Tipoff of Wednesday’s Rockets-Hawks matchup at Toyota Center is slated for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Dec. 18 Rockets-Cavaliers reaction
Rockets lose in overtime. They were millimeters away from winning in regulation. Ugh.
Fred VanVleet was amazing with 24 points and 17 assists. 24/8/6 for Sengun. Jeff Green had 15 points without a miss, big contributions from Tari and Holiday.
Defense wasn't good enough.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 19, 2023
FINAL: Cavs 135, Rockets 130 (OT). Rockets came back to force OT but crumble in the extra period. Team got torched from three (CLE 19-48 3P) most of the night. FVV 27p-17a-8r, Sengun 24p-6a.
More Ime Accountability as he benches Jabari Smith Jr. for the entire 4th + overtime.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 19, 2023
The +- tells all the story here.
Jalen Green, -16. Jabari Smith, -17. Jeff Green, +16.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 19, 2023
Can't win them all, but this is a game they should have won. 2 Deflating losses back to back.
Onto the next one.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 19, 2023
Ime Udoka goes with Fred/Dillon/Tari/Jeff/Alpi to close. https://t.co/UVLizCOiMp
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 19, 2023
Good news is 9 of the next 10 games are at home. We are 11-1 at home.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) December 19, 2023
Fred VanVleet had the best game of his #Rockets career today:
27 PTS
8 REB
17 AST‼️(2 TOV)
2 STL
1 BLK9/19 FG
4/8 3PT
5/5 FT pic.twitter.com/8yfPfoOlCO— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 19, 2023
Rockets lost this game once this Sengun shot bounced off the rim
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 19, 2023
Ime Udoka cites a "lack of toughness" from the #Rockets on these road games.
Also highlights attention to detail, not closing out on shooters as additional issues tonight.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 19, 2023
I can’t sit up here and make excuses for Jalen Green because of how talented I know he is…
Outside of him, Jock Landale is the only other Rocket who is underperforming relative to their expectations..
I expect better, and the #Rockets need better.
It’s as simple as that.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 19, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Cavs 135-130 in OT
Ime Udoka & Fred VanVleet with these thoughts after the game@HoustonRockets play 9 of their next 10 games at home starting with Atlanta on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/IkkO7K7sYj
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 19, 2023
Ime has proven that he has no problem benching Jalen (or anyone for that matter) for 4th quarters. It appears the question now is how long does this continue until he yanks Jalen entirely out of the starting lineup. Apart from Jalen’s struggles, Tari is one of the team’s best…
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 19, 2023
Rockets got math'd this game -effort was there but they reached their offensive ceiling and Cavs shot ball well.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 19, 2023
Incredible effort to force OT when they looked dead with 4 min left.
Hope they have some legs left. Both teams on fumes but someone’s gotta take over now.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 19, 2023
Alperen Sengun has combined for 10 defensive rebounds the last two games while the Rockets have allowed 29 offensive rebounds
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 19, 2023
FVV put up NUMBERS tonight in Cleveland!
📊 27 PTS | 17 AST | 8 REB
Watch him do it ⤵️@CreditKarma | #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/ONV4YdtwLz
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 19, 2023
Impressive resolve by the #Rockets on both ends of a back-to-back. Each of these games had moments where it felt like “not our night,” and they refused to accept that
(Tari Eason never accepts that)
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 19, 2023
Two nights in a row of strong offense by the Rockets, on the road versus solid teams. Defense obviously needs to pick up, but we have a long sample suggesting that it will.
The spacing and transition play with these Jeff Green-Tari Eason lineups picks up points in a hurry
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 19, 2023
