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FILE – Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket past Bruno Fernando #20 of the Houston Rockets for a layup during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center on January 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Bob Levey/Getty Images/AFP
Darius Garland scored 26 points, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen recorded double figures in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 113-95 win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Garland shot 9 of 16 from the floor, connected on five 3-pointers, and added nine assists and four steals to his ledger. Mobley posted 21 points and 10 rebounds while Allen had 14 points and 10 boards for the Cavaliers, who led by 32 despite playing without All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, absent for the fourth time in five games with a left groin strain. .
DG PG with depth 3️⃣#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/oJYX2sCElN
– Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) January 27, 2023
None of the top three ball handlers – Kevin Porter Jr. (foot), Eric Gordon (knee) and Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) – The Rockets are a rudderless ship offensively. Houston committed 22 turnovers that resulted in 40 points for the Cavaliers and were aided by second-year center Alperen Sengun, who put up 14 points with seven assists in 30 minutes.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. also scored 14 points for the Rockets while rookie Tari Eason added 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
From the start, the Cavaliers got everything they wanted offensively. Allen, Garland and Mobley shot a combined 10 of 14 while totaling 28 points in the first quarter, with Allen and Mobley combining for five dunks as Cleveland amassed 22 points in the paint in the opening period.
DG ➡️ YES#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/PZXGg9f27Z
– Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) January 27, 2023
The Rockets posted a commanding shooting percentage in the first quarter while connecting on 10 of 17 field goals. But Houston made six turnovers that enabled the Cavaliers to win seven additional shots while also converting turnovers into 15 points.
After Houston sliced what had been a 14-point deficit to 44-36 on Eason’s free throw with 8:28 left in the half, the Cavaliers responded with a decisive 12-0 run that was part of a larger surge that closed the second. quarter, one that saw Cleveland extend its 29-point lead.
Not only did Cleveland receive half-double figures from Mobley (18 points), Garland (15) and Caris LeVert (12), the Cavaliers bench contributed 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting before the break. Cleveland hit 7 of 12 3s and 15 of 18 free throws, and posted only three first-half turnovers.
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