Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 25, 2025

The Houston Rockets will travel to Ohio to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night in a blockbuster matchup that pits two of the league's best teams against each other. NBA fans will be treated to some high-level basketball as the No. 1 ranked team in the East takes on the No. 2 ranked team in the West.

There will be plenty of star talent on display at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with All-Star Donovan Mitchell set to lead the Cavaliers. Rising stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are also expected to play a major role. The Rockets will turn to talented shooting guard Jalen Green to steer their offense. Turkish center Alperen Sengun has also been in exceptional form, averaging a double-double over the first 43 games.

Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks makes a spin move against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell at Toyota Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has been consistent with his starters, sticking to a regular group throughout the first half over the season. Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun lead the roster with 43 starts, followed by Fred VanVleet and Dillion Brooks who each have 40.

Forward Jabari Smith Jr. has not featured in the lineup since Jan. 1 due to a fractured bone in his left hand. Amen Thompson has stepped up to take his place in the starting lineup.

Along with Smith Jr., Houston could also be without center N'Faly Dante.

Houston Rockets depth chart

G	Fred VanVleet	Reed Sheppard	Aaron Holiday
G	Jalen Green	Cam Whitmore
F	Dillon Brooks	Amen Thompson	Jae'Sean Tate
F	Jabari Smith Jr. (O)	Tari Eason	Jeff Green
C	Alperen Sengun	Steven Adams	Jock Landale	N'Faly Dante (O)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on pace to set a franchise record after winning 36 of their first 44 games. A big factor in their early season success has been their starting group.

Four different Cavs players have 38 or more starts so far. Jarrett Allen leads the way with 44 starts, followed by Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell who have 43 and 42, respectively. Evan Mobley has also been a regular in the starting group. Forwards Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro have been the preferred option for the fifth starting spot.

The Cavaliers do have some injury concerns coming into Saturday's game. Wade and Luke Travers are both sidelined due to injuries. Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley all missed out on Wednesday's game and are listed as game-time decisions.

Expect the Cavaliers to take the court with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers depth chart

G	Darius Garland	Caris LeVert (GTD)	Ty Jerome	Craig Porter Jr.
G	Donovan Mitchell	Max Strus	Sam Merrill	Luke Travers (O)
F	Dean Wade (O)	Isaac Okoro (GTD)	Jaylon Tyson
F	Evan Mobley (GTD)	Georges Niang
C	Jarrett Allen	Tristan Thompson

Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers players to watch

Jalen Green has been the Houston Rockets leading scorer over the 2024-25 campaign, but keep an eye on Alperen Sengun. The big man leads the Houston roster in rebounds (10.5), ranks second in points (19.2) and assists (5.0) and third in blocks (0.9). The Turkish star is proving he can be a complete player by contributing in all facets of the game and is amid an All-Star caliber season.

Donovan Mitchell remains the central figure for the Cleveland Cavaliers' dynamic offense that is averaging a whopping 121.8 ppg. Over the last six games, Mitchell has led the team in scoring on four occasions, recording 35, 36, 33 and 37 points in those games.

Over the season, Mitchell is averaging 23.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.5 apg and 1.4 spg. The gifted 28-year-old is in line for his seventh straight All-Star Game appearance this year.