Houston faces Cleveland, looks to break 4-game slide

Updated Feb. 1, 2022 3:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers (31-20, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (14-36, 15th in the Western Conference)

Houston; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston heads into the matchup against Cleveland after losing four games in a row.

The Rockets have gone 7-16 at home. Houston is fifth in the NBA with 48.8 points in the paint led by Christian Wood averaging 9.0.

The Cavaliers are 15-11 on the road. Cleveland ranks second in the league giving up only 102.2 points while holding opponents to 44.1% shooting.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Cavaliers won the last matchup 124-89 on Dec. 16, with Darius Garland scoring 21 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Wood is averaging 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Rockets. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games for Houston.

Garland is averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 assists for the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley is averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the last 10 games for Cleveland.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 3-7, averaging 111.5 points, 43.2 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.1 points per game.

Cavaliers: 8-2, averaging 105.2 points, 43.5 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.0 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Usman Garuba: out (wrist).

Cavaliers: Collin Sexton: out for season (knee), Ricky Rubio: out for season (knee), Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Darius Garland: out (back).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by