Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 22, 2025

The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. Donovan Mitchell and Co. look to improve their NBA-best 36-6 record when they visit the Ime Udoka-coached team. Cleveland’s top-ranked offense will be tested by the third-ranked defense in the league.

Houston hopes to finish a two-game home stand with an upset of the league-leading Cavaliers. The Rockets lost 107-96 to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, so a win would be a boost before playing their next four games outside the Toyota Center. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet will lead the home team.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets Injury Report

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report

Luke Travers and JT Thor did not travel with the team following their assignment to the G League. Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Evan Mobley (calf) will not play on Wednesday. Mobley is considered day-to-day, but the Cavs ruled him out. Caris LeVert is questionable because of a right wrist sprain.

Houston Rockets injury report

N’Faly Dante and Jack McVeight will play in the G League, making them unavailable for the Cavaliers game. Jabari Smith Jr. is out due to a fractured hand. The Rockets announced Smith will be out for 4-8 weeks after suffering the injury on Jan. 3 against the Boston Celtics.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets starting lineups and depth chart

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Darius Garland	Craig Porter Jr.	Jaylon Tyson
Donovan Mitchell	Sam Merrill	Ty Jerome
Max Strus	Caris LeVert	Emoni Bates
Dean Wade	Georges Niang
Jarrett Allen	Tristan Thompson

Houston Rockets starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Fred VanVleet	Aaron Holiday	Reed Sheppard
Jalen Green	Jeenathan Williams
Dillon Brooks	Cam Whitmore	Jae'Sean Tate
Amen Thompson	Tari Eason	Jeff Green
Alperen Sengun	Steven Adams	Jock Landale

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets: Key matchups

Dillon Brooks vs Donovan Mitchell

Rockets coach Ime Udoka has consistently given Dillon Brooks the toughest perimeter defensive tasks. Udoka will likely ask their enforcer to shadow Donovan Mitchell, who dropped 33 points against the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

Cleveland’s offense is versatile, but slowing down Spida will be key for the hosts. The Rockets will have a good chance of winning the game if Brooks gets the job done against the explosive scorer.

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Alperen Sengun vs Jarrett Allen

Alperen Sengun is ground-bound, but he is physical and creative with his shots in the paint. The athletic Jarrett Allen, who relishes contact under the boards, will go toe-to-toe with the Turkish international. Sengun often functions as the hub of the Houston offense, so Allen’s role on defense will be crucial.

Allen is a relentless rebounder who can give the Cavs extra possessions. Sengun must try to keep him off the glass to prevent Cleveland’s deadly offense from more opportunities to hurt the Rockets.

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Fred VanVleet vs Darius Garland

Fred VanVleet and Darius Garland make their respective team’s offense run. The Rockets' defense, particularly if VanVleet does his part, can bottle up the team with the best offensive rating in the NBA.

VanVleet will likely get help from Jalen Green, but it will be the former Raptors star’s main task to slow down Garland.