Houston Rockets Game 75 of 2015-16 Season vs Cavaliers

Houston Rockets Game 75 of 2015-16 found H-Town playing the eventual Champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 75 of 2015-16 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Houston hopes their free agent additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for October 26th opening night versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 75 – Cavaliers

Pregame Analysis:

As the Rockets geared up to face the eventual champions the playoffs were all they had on their minds. Here’s an excerpt from my pregame analysis highlighting just how far apart the two teams were at this point in the season:

Cleveland sit atop the Eastern Conference having managed several player injuries and in spite of firing their head coach David Blatt and replacing him with Tyronn Lue. Meanwhile the Houston Rockets enter tonight tied with the Mavericks for eighth, a full game back of the Jazz with just 8 games left to play.

Punctuating just how far the Houston Rockets have fallen is the fact the Cavaliers will rest LeBron James this evening. Consider for a moment how much benefit would come from giving James Harden a game or two off and then wipe that from your thought process as the Rockets will need the bearded man to play in his league leading 37.9 minutes per game.

Full pregame analysis is available via this link.

Post Game Analysis:

Andre Cantalogo served up the post game analysis and grades:

A couple Rockets starters suffered with foul trouble early which ended up leaving the team to rely mostly on Bickerstaff’s thin rotation. Rockets interim head coach tried a couple of new things tonight, McDaniels saw some playing time, Harden spent some minutes as the team’s only (point) guard, etc..

Despite J.B.’s attempts his team just couldn’t cope with the Cavs offensive strength. Lead by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love the Cavs led the score by 19 at halftime.

Then as the Rockets fans are probably getting used to, the team came back late in the second half but this time were able to finish off their opponents with great defense in the final minutes of the fourth.

The full write-up can be viewed via this link.

Stat Leaders:

James Harden scored 27 points along with 6 rebounds and 8 assists.

Kyrie Irving countered for the Cavaliers with 31 points, 2 rebounds and 8 assists.

ESPN’s box score can be reviewed via this link.

Rockets games vs. Cavaliers in 2016-17

November 1st in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena
March 12th at home

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Draft Picks:

Round 1: N/A

Round 2: Kay Felder (54)

Incoming Free Agents/trade: