Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Nov 2025
Two of the teams fancied to challenge in the Eastern and Western Conference in the current NBA season, Cleveland and Houston clashed early today with the Rockets holding off the Cavaliers 114-104 at the Rockets Arena.
In a game where both teams shot poorly from the field and arc, the confrontation came down to which team had the better performing big men. And hands down, Rockets 6-11 Turkish center Alperen Sengun emerged the big winner, notching 28 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and 1 block against a team that has last season's Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley.
The Rockets were also greatly helped by relief center Steven Adams and big guard Amen Thompson who combined for 20 rebounds dwarfing the combined output of Mobley and main Cavs center Jarett Allen of just 13 boards.
Kevin Durant also made his presence felt scoring an additional 20 points with sophomore guard Reed Sheppard chipping 12 points, many of which allowed the Rockets to break away from a close game in the first quarter.
Main Cavs scorer Donovan Mitchell had a quiet 21 points though he had three triples. Former Atlanta Hawks star De Andre Hunter carried the scoring for Cleveland finishing with a team high 25 points. Mobley still managed 18 points but Allen could only put up 8 points to go with his team high 7 rebounds.
The win allowed Houston to tie the idle Denver Nuggets at 2nd place both at 10-3 behind the league leading Oklahoma City Thunder (14-1) in the West.
The Rockets get to break the tie tomorrow as they take on the Nuggets.
The loss on the other hand brought down the Cavaliers to third in the East at 10-6 behind the Conference leaders Detroit Pistons (13-2) and the Toronto Raptors which are second at 10-5.
Cleveland is sorely missing the contributions of regulars as Darius Garland and Max Struss who are still down with injuries.
Cleveland will get its chance to get even as it hosts the Rockets on December 28, 2025.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025