HOUSTON Rockets survived a second-half push by Cleveland Cavaliers to post a 114-104 victory on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Aaron Holiday scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Rockets fend off a Cavaliers rally that trimmed a 22-point Houston advantage to just a single point.
Holiday shot 4-of-5 from the field in the final period, including three three-pointers, as he stepped into extended minutes following an injury to Tari Eason earlier this week.
Houston controlled the game early, leading 33-19 after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 22 early in the third. But Cleveland responded with a 30-17 run coming out of halftime, and Donovan Mitchell poured in 19 points in the fourth to cut the Rockets’ lead to 105-104.
With Cleveland focused defensively on Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant, Holiday carried much of the late scoring load. Şengün, however, sealed the win with six points in the final minute.
Şengün led the way for the Rockets with a team-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 and 14, respectively, while Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard ended with 12 apiece.
De’Andre Hunter led the Cavaliers with 25 points, Mitchell finished with 21 markers, while Evan Mobley and rookie Nae’Quan Tomlin contributed 18 and 10 markers, respectively.
Houston improved to 114 points on 45.6% shooting, including 9-of-24 from long range. Cleveland shot 44.4% and made 12 three-pointers but struggled at the free-throw line, going 20-of-32.
Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin posted a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds as Indiana Pacers snapped its losing skid to score a 127-118 victory over Charlotte Hornets.
Paskal Siakam added 22 markers, Jay Huff contributed 20 points, including four outside conversions, while Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, and TJ McConnell contributed 16, 15, and 14, respectively.
In other results, Denver Nuggets prevailed over New Orleans Pelicans, 125-118; Miami Heat turned back Golden State Warriors, 110-96; Minnesota Timberwolves edged Washington Wizards, 120-109; and Oklahoma City Thunder topped Sacramento Kings, 113-99./PN
