Key Takeaways:
- Alperen Sengun recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-104
- Aaron Holiday contributed 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping Houston seal their fifth straight victory
- Cleveland dropped to 2-2 on their six-game homestand, despite De’Andre Hunter’s 25 points and Donovan Mitchell’s 21-point effort
Match Summary and Key Moments
The Houston Rockets continued their impressive form by registering a 114-104 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, marking their fifth consecutive win. Central to their success was Alperen Sengun, who delivered a standout performance with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
Kevin Durant added further scoring power, finishing with 20 points, while Aaron Holiday was pivotal in the closing stages, netting 14 of his 18 points during the final quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 14 points, and Amen Thompson contributed across the board with 12 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. This result takes the Rockets to a 10-1 record since their initial two losses at the start of the season.
🖐️ in a row!#AllFire pic.twitter.com/OIm5ihFSbq
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 20, 2025
Cavaliers’ Fightback Falls Short
For Cleveland, De’Andre Hunter led the way with 25 points. Donovan Mitchell made a late push by scoring 19 of his 21 points in the fourth period, closing the deficit to 77-76. However, successive baskets from Sengun and Thompson helped Houston respond and retain control.
Evan Mobley contributed 18 points but struggled from the free-throw line, converting just four of ten attempts. Jarrett Allen finished on eight points and seven rebounds. The Cavaliers, now 2-2 on their season-long six-game homestand, trimmed the Rockets’ advantage by closing the third quarter with a 23-5 run. Mobley added eight points and Lonzo Ball scored seven during this surge, narrowing the gap to 74-70 by quarter’s end.
First Half Dominance and Key Statistics
The Rockets set the tone early, holding a 57-40 halftime lead fuelled by Durant’s 13 points and Sengun’s 10 points and six rebounds through the first two quarters. Houston established a 14-point margin in the opening quarter and surged ahead by as many as 20 in the second.
Jabari Smith Jr. and De’Andre Hunter were each penalised with flagrant fouls and technical infractions in the first half, while Cleveland’s Nae’Qwan Tomlin also received a technical.
| Team | Top Scorer | Points | Rebounds | Key Contributor | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | Alperen Sengun | 28 | 11 | Aaron Holiday | 18 points (14 in Q4) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | De’Andre Hunter | 25 | 4 | Donovan Mitchell | 21 points (19 in Q4) |
Team News and Upcoming Fixtures
On the injury front, Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (left great toe) and Jaylon Tyson (concussion) missed their fifth consecutive game. Shooting guard Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), who suffered the injury on Monday against Milwaukee, also remained sidelined. Tyson may return on Friday.
The Rockets will host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, while the Cavaliers face the Indiana Pacers at home that same evening.
