Rockets vs. Cavaliers Preview: Can Houston stay hot?

The Rockets are off to a great start this season. Can it continue tonight vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Rockets (8-3) are hot and in second place early in the new season. The Cavaliers (5-6) are the exact opposite. Their defense has been non-existent and they have struggled to beat even the worst of teams at times. However, a team with LeBron James on it is always dangerous and the Rockets need to be careful.

Last game for Houston, James Harden dropped an incredible 56 points on 19/25 shooting. That efficiency was amazing and earned him Player of the Week honors. What does the Beard have in store tonight?

For the Cavs, they won a close one against the Bucks in Cleveland two nights ago. LeBron was his usual self, dropping 30 points, 8 rebounds & 9 assists.

Let’s look at the injury report:

Injury Report

Both starting point guards are out tonight. Chris Paul is nearing a return and Isaiah Thomas is out for a while still after a hip injury.

The backup point guard for Cleveland, Derrick Rose, is also out tonight. Iman Shumpert will start in his place, per ESPN.

Tristan Thompson remains out as well for the Cavs with a calf injury.

Luc Mbah a Moute is questionable for the Rockets but is expected to play.

Projected Starting 5

Rockets

James Harden, Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Clint Capela

Cavaliers

Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder, LeBron James, Kevin Love

It will be a test for both teams as the Rockets look to stay hot and the Cavs look to turn it around. Dwyane Wade will play a huge role off the bench for the Cavs with Rose out tonight. For Houston, they need to find one more rotation player that will step up and take some minutes off the core 8. Will that be Bobby Brown?

Pre-game Drama

The Rockets’ social media stirred some news this morning when they made fun of LeBron’s “Arthur” post. Hopefully, Bron-Bron doesn’t take that to heart.

Cavs. #Rockets. TONIGHT. pic.twitter.com/jVTW6zuFyk

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 9, 2017

How to Watch

Tonight’s game will be televised on National Television. You can find the game on TNT or on the Watch TNT app. As always, you can follow along on the Rockets mobile app.

How do you think tonight will go? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Next: Luc Mbah a Moute questionable vs. the Cavs