Cavs @ Rockets

Cleveland invaded Houston, Texas riding a three-game winning streak. During this streak, the Cavs have been riding an energy that had them within 1 1/2 games of the eight playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It was a battle of the last two noumber one overall picks in LeBron James and Yao Ming. Yao and the Rockets decided to bring the win streak to an end last night in a 90-84 victory and knocked the Cavs two games back in the playoff hunt.

Cuttino Mobley led the Rockets with 22 points while Yao tossed in 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Cavs had no answer for the Houston guard down the stretch, and was not able to overcome their horrible shooting in the first half. But it was former Cav Clarence Weatherspoon who hurt the Cavs the most when it counted. Weatherspoon scored nine of his season-high 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Carlos Boozer scored scored 16 points and had another huge game on the boards, grabbing 18 rebounds. Zydrunas Ilgauskas pitched in with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Jeff McInnis had another solid game with 17 points and 10 assists. James struggled for much of the game, shooting a mere 27 percent from the floor for 11 points. He did add 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the loss.

The game started off very bad for the Cavs. And this night they wouldn't be able to overcome their first quarter woes. Cleveland would go scoreless the first 3 1/2 minutes of the game and the Rockets jumped out to a 6-0 lead early. Cleveland fought back to get within two at 18-16 to end the first.

The Rockets out-hustled the Cavs in the second quarter and used good ball movement to open up their lead. Houston went on a 17-9 run to break away from Cleveland and to create a 37-25 lead. Cleveland would then hold Houston to just two points on a Mobley layup over the last 4 1/2 minutes to close to within 39-33 to end the half.

But both teams struggled mightely in their first half shooting performance as the percentages for each team ranged in the low thirties. James and Steve Francis both scored just two points on just one field goal each.

But as the third quarter opened James and the Cavs showed a small and spirited run. Cleveland went on a 10-2 run, led by James' seven during the stretch, that put the team ahead 45-41 with about mine minutes to play in the third. The teams battled away and the Cavs came away with a one point lead at 61-60 to end the quarter.

The Cavs led 67-66 with just under nine minutes to play. That's when Cleveland went scoreless for about a 3 1/2 minute stretch and never recovered. Weatherspoon and Mobley were just too much and Houston ended the Cavs min win streak.

Cleveland outrebounded Houston 52-48. Both teams made 35 field goals and both hit on five 3-pointers. Besides the shooting percentage, the difference was at the foul line. Houston made 15-22 attempts while Cleveland hit on 9-15 free-throws.

CavsTalk