The Cleveland Cavaliers led the 2024-25 Eastern Conference with a 64-18 record, and they currently rank No. 3 with a 10-6 mark early in the 2025-26 season.
Yet, since the calendar turned to 2025, they are 0-3 against the Houston Rockets — with the latest loss coming in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
In postgame comments, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson gave much of the credit to his team’s opponent. Among his comments:
They enforced their identity more than we did, and that’s what this league comes down to. You have your identity, and you’ve got to go with it. It was the third time they beat us, three in a row. They’ve done a better job.
Credit to them. Heck of a team. Contender. Tonight, we couldn’t stand toe to toe with them. Just wasn’t there.
Led by the likes of Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, Houston out-rebounded the Cavaliers for the game, 51-39. The Rockets rank No. 1 in the NBA in rebounding, and that’s a big part of the identity that Atkinson was referring to.
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With their latest victory, the Rockets (10-3) have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11, overall. Their rematch with the Cavs comes next month on Saturday, Dec. 27, in Houston.
More: ‘I never back down’: Rockets (10-3) keep rolling as Alperen Sengun bests Evan Mobley, Cavs