Final Score: Turnovers, rebounds doom Cavs in 117-113 loss to Rockets

For a stretch in the first half, in trailing by as many as 18, the Cavaliers looked out of it and on their way to another ugly loss.

The Cavs were able to come back and make a game of it behind big nights from Jeff Green and LeBron James. However, they ultimately fell 117-113 on Thursday night in Houston.

James lead the Cavs with 33 points to go along with seven assists and a season-high nine turnovers. Green added 27 points for Cleveland, including 20 in the second quarter when the Cavs fought to get back into the game. Rockets guard James Harden lead all scorers with 35 points to go along with 13 assists and 11 rebounds.

James also rolled his ankle in the first quarter, but after sitting for a minute, returned and finished the game with no issue.

The Cavs were ultimately done in by turnovers and rebounds, or a lack there of. Houston converted 19 Cleveland turnovers into 38 points against just 22 points off turnovers for the Cavs. On the glass, the Rockets pulled down 17 offensive rebounds and out-rebounded the Cavs 49-26 overall. At center, Kevin Love scored 17 points before fouling out, but grabbed just six rebounds as compared to the 13 rebounds Clint Capela pulled down for the Rockets.

Capela’s final rebound of the night was the cap on Houston’s night. With 10.7 seconds to go, he cleaned up a Harden miss to put the Rockets up four. It was also the second Rockets rebound on that possession.

With the loss, the Cavs have no failed to win a second straight game since the first two games of the season. They next play on Saturday against Dallas Mavericks to wrap up a two-game trip in Texas.