The Houston Rockets secured a nail-biting 109-108 victory over the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, thanks to Fred VanVleet’s 26-point performance and clutch plays down the stretch.
Alperen Sengun sealed the game with two decisive free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining, capitalizing on Jarrett Allen’s late foul. Cleveland’s Darius Garland, who led his team with 26 points, had a chance to force overtime but missed two of three free throws after a flagrant foul on a three-point attempt by Tari Eason.
The Cavaliers had one final opportunity to snatch the win, but Donovan Mitchell’s three-pointer at the buzzer fell short. Mitchell contributed 19 points but shot just 7-for-21 from the field, including 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Houston built a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter but went cold offensively, allowing Cleveland to surge ahead with a 19-0 run. VanVleet ended the Rockets’ seven-minute scoring drought with a clutch three-pointer and tied the game moments later with another deep shot, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Amen Thompson had a strong showing for Houston, recording 16 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists. Sengun added 18 points and 11 boards, while Cam Whitmore delivered 16 points off the bench. Eason contributed 12 points, including three three-pointers, despite his costly late foul.
Cleveland, who played without key contributors Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert, struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 53-45. Mobley, averaging 8.8 rebounds per game, missed his third straight contest due to a calf injury. The Cavaliers also missed six free throws, including Garland’s critical late attempts, which proved costly.
Ty Jerome provided a spark off Cleveland’s bench with 18 points, while Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland dropped to 36-7 on the season and suffered just its fifth road loss.
The Rockets improved to 29-14 and continue to showcase their growth as a rising team in the Western Conference. Houston’s resilience against one of the league’s best teams underscores their potential, but avoiding extended scoring droughts will be crucial as they aim for postseason success.