Playing in both ends of a back-to-back for the first time all year, veteran guard John Wall (32 points, 5 assists) had enough to keep the Houston Rockets competitive in Monday’s home game versus Cleveland.
Yet, it still wasn’t enough to halt the ongoing losing streak by the Rockets (11-22), which is now at 12 games. Led by Collin Sexton’s 39 points, the Cavaliers (14-21) won their fourth straight, 101-90 (box score).
Victor Oladipo (20 points, 3 steals) played well after missing Sunday’s historic blowout loss to Memphis for planned maintenance. But even with Houston’s usual duo of starting guards back in action, the Rockets were still too short-handed at other positions throughout the roster.
Veteran guard Eric Gordon missed the second game of the back-to-back with left knee soreness, while starting forward Danuel House Jr. exited in the first half after bruising his right knee. David Nwaba, valued for his defense and energy off the bench, didn’t play at all due to a sore wrist.
Danuel House Jr (@DanuelHouseJr ) injured: pic.twitter.com/rct7PE85ce
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 2, 2021
Meanwhile, star center Christian Wood missed his 12th straight game due to the right ankle sprain he suffered on Feb. 4. The Rockets are 0-12 in this stretch without Wood after going 7-1 in the prior eight games.
With the star-studded Brooklyn Nets and former teammate James Harden headed to Houston on Wednesday night, it seems highly possible that the Rockets could enter the All-Star break on a 13-game skid.
For now, here’s a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction from Monday night’s loss to the Cavs at Toyota Center.
