The big picture

Houston Rockets come in 8th on the ladder; Cleveland Cavaliers are 17th. Houston Rockets have the higher position to protect.

Houston Rockets are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 117.9 points for and 107.6 against.

Cleveland Cavaliers are 5–4 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 119.2 points for and 114.7 against.

Form

Houston Rockets have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 107–117.

Cleveland Cavaliers have won two of their last five and most recently beat Philadelphia 76ers 119–95.

Head to head

These sides have met 48 times on our records since 2001: Houston Rockets 31, Cleveland Cavaliers 17.

Last time out (2025-26), Houston Rockets won 117–100 at Toyota Center (Houston).

Houston Rockets have won the last five against Cleveland Cavaliers.

Biggest margin between these two: Houston Rockets by 38 points in 2012-13 (116–78).

Players to watch

For Houston Rockets, watch Alperen Sengun (22.4 points a game, 64 rebounds in 2026-27) and Kevin Durant (20.8 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Cleveland Cavaliers, watch Donovan Mitchell (22.6 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27) and Evan Mobley (19.1 points a game, 72 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Toyota Center (Houston)

Houston Rockets have won 15 of their last 22 at Toyota Center (Houston).

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Houston Rockets go in as clear favourites.