The Rockets boast one of the NBA's top defenses this season, ranking 4th in points allowed at 107.8 per game and 5th in field goal defense at 45.1%. This elite defensive unit, anchored by Alperen Sengun's rebounding prowess (10.5 per game) and complemented by strong perimeter defense, matches up well against Cleveland's offense. He also chips in 19.2 points per game on a 48.9 FG percentage. Cleveland will be without star forward Evan Mobley, who is OUT with a calf injury. This is a tough travel spot for the Cavs, having played three road games than one home game and now hitting the road again to a different time zone. Houston ranks 6th in strength of schedule, while Cleveland is ranked 20th. Grab the points.

These teams turn right around and play Saturday in Cleveland , and it's very rare to sweep one of these home-and-home sets when teams are somewhat even -- which I believe these are. The Cavs are again without stellar young big Evan Mobley, having his best season, as well as starting forward Isaac Okoro, and sixth-man Caris LeVert is in doubt. I can see Alperen Sengun getting Jarrett Allen into foul trouble, which would become a major problem with no Mobley. I don't fret Houston's home loss Monday to Detroit as I'm sure the Rockets were looking ahead to this one. They easily handled the Cavs in H-Town a season ago. For what it's worth, Houston has won seven straight Wednesday games.

Darius Garland is having an excellent season and has been particularly good recently having scored 20+ points in 10 of his last 14 appearances, while averaging 23.1 PPG over this stretch. Furthermore, Garland is averaging 24.5 PPG when Evan Mobley has been inactive, compared to 20.7 with Mobley in the lineup. Caris LaVert who plays 25 mins a night and is the Cavs 5th leading scorer is also Questionable having missed the last game with a wrist injury. Look for Garland to stay hot in a game that projects to be competitive against the Rockets.

The Cavs have won 8 of their last 10 on the road, and the last time they faced one of the better teams in the Western Conference, OKC, they got embarrassed in a big way. I don't see that happening again. Cavs are 14-1 vs the Western Conference. Rockets are just 7-5 in their last 12. Rockets are just 19-13 outside their division and just 5-6 as a dog.