The Cavaliers stormed back to tie the game at 107 with just seconds remaining and had a chance to tie or win the game on the final possession with the Rockets leading 109-107. Bizarrely, Rockets forward Tari Eason fouled Darius Garland on a 3-point attempt, giving the Cavaliers sharpshooter a chance to tie or win the game at the line.
The Houston Rockets continued to prove that they're a real threat this season when they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 109-108. Now 29-14, the Rockets have the fourth-best record in the league and are the only team with wins over the Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder-- the best team in each conference with identical 36-7 records.
Darius Garland is a 90% free throw shooter. That did not matter Wednesday night. The Cleveland point guard had a chance to give his Cavaliers the lead at the free throw line with 2.1 seconds remaining against the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets hit two free throws late while the Cavaliers missed two free throws seconds later, allowing Houston to hold off Cleveland .
Fans all made the same joke on Wednesday about Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland's late-game choke job.
Garland had an uncharacteristic night from the charity stripe, going 3-of-8 on free-throw attempts in what ended up being a one-point loss. Garland did lead Cleveland in scoring, however, racking up 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field.
With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.
The Rockets raised eyebrows around the league after sweeping a home and away back to back against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.
Although they're tired and injured, after their frustrating loss to the Rockets, the Cavs weren't making any excuses.
Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds left and Darius Garland missed two of three free throws after that to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 109-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After Wednesday’s bizarre loss in the final seconds, Darius Garland and the Cavaliers (-3.5) will attempt to get some revenge in Saturday’s rematch.
Amen Thompson had his second career triple-double, Alperin Sengun and Jalen Green scored 26 points apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 135-131 on Saturday night.