The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped a heartbreaker 109-108 to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. After rallying back from down 13, the shorthanded Cavs blew their chances after Darius Garland missed two of three free throws with the Cavs down two in the game’s final seconds. Garland missed a career-high five free throws, despite shooting 90% from the charity stripe on the season entering the game. After the game, head coach Kenny Atkinson had words of encouragement for his team in wake of the loss.
Cavs Coach “Proud of Effort” Despite Loss to Rockets
“I love how we fought, I love our resiliency, I love our team,” Atkinson said in a postgame press conference. “We’re short-handed but the guys fought like crazy. I thought our toughness, willingness to battle and sometimes it doesn’t go your way. No regrets, tough loss.”
The Cavs entered action without three key members of the rotation. Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro both missed their third straight game, while Caris LeVert was a late scratch with a wrist injury. However, Cleveland played the second seed in the Western Conference tight all night long.
Down 13, the Cavs went on a 19-0 early in the fourth quarter to take back momentum. Atkinson was impressed with his team’s second gear on the road.
“On the road, you can fold,” Atkinson said. “Their athleticism and they’re pounding you on the boards, getting out in transition. We seemed like we were running out of gas and then we found our reserve tank and turned things around. Really proud of the guys for their effort on the road against an elite team.”
The Cavs loss to Houston marks just their second defeat to Western Conference opponents. Cleveland is an impressive 13-2 against the West this season.
Defending Garland
Also, Atkinson came to the defense of Garland, who missed two free throws in the clutch.
“One of the best [Garland] free throw shooters in the league, it happens,” Atkinson said. “I love that guy, I love his effort. Without him, you lose by 10 so to me it’s almost irrelevant. Guy’s a great player, I’ll take him in the situation every time.”
Garland has been a player rejuvenated this season. He was shooting career-highs across the board (free-throw percentage dipped below career-high after Wednesday), and it is obvious that one night does not define him. Fortunately for Garland, he will get a chance to redeem himself as the Rockets make their way to Northeast Ohio in a few days time for a rematch.
The Rockets are the best rebounding team in the association, ranking first in total rebounds and offensive rebounds. Even without Mobley, the Cavs matched Houston’s aggressiveness on the boards. Both teams had 20 offensive rebounds, however Houston won the battle 53-45.
“Twenty offensive rebounds, that’s a huge number,” Atkinson explained. “Their athleticism is off the charts, then they got two centers that can rebound [Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams], they got wing rebounding. They definitely had a physicality edge.”
Houston’s Amen Thompson led the game with an immense 16 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. The high rebounder for Cleveland was Jarrett Allen with 13.
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Yet again, Cleveland will be able to avenge a loss within a week span. They also did so recently against the Indiana Pacers. The team is hopeful to add Mobley, Okoro, and LeVert back to the lineup in time for that game which would pose a massive boost for the Eastern Conference leaders.
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