Cavaliers vs. Rockets: preview, start time, TV information

Last night was tough for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In losing by four to the San Antonio Spurs, the Cavs pushed themselves to the brink against one of the team's considered to be a legitimate title contender.

Tonight is a bit of a different challenge for the Cavs. Against the Houston Rockets, the Cavs are taking on a team thought by many to be a sleeper title contender. The Rockets, though, got out to a slow start to start the season before rebounding some and settling into a playoff spot out West.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets

When: 9:30 p.m.

Where: Toyota Center - Houston, Texas

How to watch: ESPN

Enemy Blog: The Dream Shake

Music: Antidote - Travis Scott

• For Houston, one fun development this season has been the emergence of Clint Capela. He's still really young, but Capela is shooting almost 60 percent from the field and is doing an excellent job protecting rim as noted by Nylon Calculus' rim protection stats.
• This is a Rockets team that also hasn't been healthy or functioned as a whole either. Donatas Motiejunas has played in just 14 games, Dwight Howard can't always play on the second half of back-to-backs and to say the Ty Lawson trade hasn't worked out would be an understatement.
• Harden hasn't been the same player who almost won the MVP last year either. He's shooting worse from the field, shooting worse from three and hasn't put in the same effort on defense that he did a year ago. This with Harden just taking .1 less free throw per game. Basically, Harden is making fewer shots.
• Depending on how the Cavs come out, this could be a game the Cavs lose as a result of being a little tired on the end of the road trip. Houston isn't great, but the Rockets come in having a day off between their last game and tonight.
• One aspect at play here: will the Cavs rest anyone after a grueling week? Both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving would be candidates to rest, but Irving has said he won't sit anymore back-to-backs and LeBron doesn't really sit much either.

Fear the Sword's Fearless Prediction

The Cavs, as long as they have enough juice, should win tonight against the Rockets. Cavs 99. Rockets 92