Cleveland-Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets January 25th 2025
At 7:30 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-156) will host the Houston Rockets (+131) in a non-conference matchup. The Cavaliers (-3.5) are favored and have dropped their last two games.
This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and can be seen on SCHN. The over/under line is currently sitting at 227.5 points.
Rockets vs. Cavaliers Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers
- Where: Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
- Date: Saturday, January 25th
- Betting Odds CLE -3.5, HOU +131 | CLE -156 O/U 227.5
The Rockets Can Win If…
With a 109-108 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday, the Rockets improved to 29-14. Houston, who entered the game as +1 point underdogs, covered the spread with the victory. The combined score of 217 points fell short of the 228.5-point total line.
Houston took control with a 13-0 run, extending their lead from 43-42 to 56-42. They led 94-83 heading into the 4th quarter but were outscored 25-15 in the final period, narrowly holding on for the win.
Fred VanVleet knocked down 7 threes at a 58.3% clip, finishing with 26 points and 5 assists in the Rockets’ win over the Cavaliers. Houston hit 15 threes as a team, shooting 44.1% from deep and 44% overall from the field.
Alperen Sengun added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Amen Thompson contributed 16 points and 16 boards. Cam Whitmore also scored 16, with 10 of those coming in the opening quarter.
The Rockets gave up 108 points to the Cavaliers but still came out on top. Their best defensive effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed just 21 points. In the 4th quarter, they gave up 25 points, enough to hold off Cleveland.
Houston held the Cavaliers to 42% shooting from the field and 31% from three, with Cleveland hitting 13 threes. The Rockets also sent the Cavaliers to the line 19 times, where they made 13 free throws. Defensively, Houston recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.
- In their last five road games, Houston has averaged 126 points per game while allowing 114 . The team’s record in this stretch was 4-1 while going 4-1 vs. the spread.
- Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Rockets have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
- Over their last three games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.
The Cavaliers Can Win If…
The Cavaliers fell to 36-8 on the season after a 132-129 road loss to the 76ers on Friday. Cleveland, who were favored by 9 points, didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total of 261 points exceeded the 229.5 O/U line by 31.5 points.
Cleveland took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 34-25, but the 76ers responded with a key 13-0 run late in the game, turning a 116-111 deficit into a 124-116 lead. The Cavs couldn’t recover, despite keeping it close heading into the 4th quarter, trailing just 98-96.
In their 132-129 loss to the 76ers, the Cavaliers connected on 25 threes, shooting 48.1% from beyond the arc and 50% overall from the field. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 37 points, hitting 7 threes, while Ty Jerome knocked down 8 threes on 100% shooting from deep, finishing with 33 points.
Mitchell scored 15 points in the 4th quarter, and Jerome added 12 in the final period. Darius Garland contributed 26 points, including 11 in the 3rd quarter, and made 4 threes in the game.
The Cavaliers struggled defensively, giving up 132 points to the 76ers. They allowed 39 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, holding Philadelphia to 25 points. However, they gave up 34 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Cleveland allowed the 76ers to shoot 50% from the field, including 53% from three, where Philadelphia made 21 threes. The Cavaliers sent the 76ers to the line 27 times, where they made 23 free throws. Cleveland finished with 10 steals and 5 blocks.
- Across the Cavaliers last five home games, the team averaged 120 points per game while allowing 121. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 2-3 straight-up.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Cavaliers have a straight up record of 7-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
- In their last three games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
We’re calling a win for the Cavaliers, with a final score of 136-118, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Cavaliers at -3.5.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 227.5 and our model has the Rockets and Cavaliers finishing with a combined 254 points. Our pick is to take the over.
Rockets Eye Season Sweep Against Cavaliers in Cleveland
The Houston Rockets (23-20) are on the road Saturday night with a chance to complete a season sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-8) after edging out a 109-108 victory in their thrilling midweek clash. This matchup promises intensity, as Houston looks to build momentum and Cleveland aims to rebound from consecutive losses.
Houston Rockets: Thriving on Depth and Rebounding
Houston’s balanced approach has been the backbone of their resurgence this season, and it was on full display in Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers. Fred VanVleet led the way with 26 points, including clutch 3-pointers in the game’s final moments, while Alperen Sengun (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Amen Thompson (16 points, 16 rebounds) both notched double-doubles.
Head coach Ime Udoka praised the team’s depth:
“In the past, we probably wouldn’t have survived a night of some guys being a little bit off [shooting],” Udoka said.
Even with key scorers Jalen Green (4-of-16 shooting, 10 points) and Dillon Brooks (four points) struggling offensively, the Rockets found ways to execute, thanks in large part to their relentless work on the boards.
Houston leads the NBA in offensive rebounding (14.7 per game), with Sengun, Steven Adams, and Amen Thompson contributing heavily to their dominance in second-chance opportunities. This rebounding prowess has been crucial for the Rockets’ success on both ends of the floor.
On defense, the Rockets have been equally effective, holding opponents to just 107.8 points per game — one of the best marks in the league. Their defense will be tested again by Cleveland’s high-powered offense.
Cavaliers Look to Rebound from Rare Losing Streak
The Cleveland Cavaliers, tied for the NBA’s best record with Oklahoma City, have hit a rare bump in the road, suffering back-to-back losses for just the second time this season. After Wednesday’s narrow loss in Houston, the Cavaliers faltered again Friday, losing 132-128 to the Philadelphia 76ers despite scoring 128 points.
Cleveland’s struggles against Philadelphia came largely from defensive lapses, as the 76ers shot an astounding 21-for-39 (53.8 percent) from 3-point range.
A bright spot for the Cavaliers in Friday’s loss was the breakout performance of Ty Jerome, who erupted for a career-high 33 points while hitting all eight of his 3-point attempts. His strong showing pushed his season average to 11 points per game and underscored his importance as a key bench contributor.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s leading scorer at 23.5 points per game, added 37 points against the 76ers. Mitchell has been on fire recently, scoring at least 33 points in three of his last four games. However, his 19-point performance on 7-of-21 shooting in Wednesday’s loss to Houston shows that the Rockets’ defense has the potential to disrupt even the league’s best scorers.
Key Matchups
Fred VanVleet vs. Donovan Mitchell: Both guards are key offensive leaders for their teams. VanVleet’s late-game heroics were pivotal on Wednesday, while Mitchell will look to continue his scoring surge.
Rebounding Battle: Houston’s dominance on the boards will clash with Cleveland’s need to control second-chance points. Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams will face off against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Bench Contributions: Ty Jerome’s career night added a spark for Cleveland, while Houston’s balanced scoring from its bench, including Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, has been a consistent strength.
Prediction
Cleveland will be looking for revenge on their home court, and with Donovan Mitchell in rhythm and Ty Jerome providing a boost, they’ll aim to expose Houston’s weaknesses. However, the Rockets’ rebounding edge and ability to hold Cleveland to one of their lowest-scoring games this season on Wednesday could make the difference.
Final Score Prediction: Houston 112, Cleveland 110
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Conclusion
The Houston Rockets are poised for a statement win and a rare season sweep of the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. With both teams showcasing contrasting strengths — Houston’s defensive grit and rebounding dominance versus Cleveland’s explosive offense — Saturday’s game is a must-watch clash with significant implications for both squads.