Wall drops season-high but can't push Rockets past Cavs, Rockets lose twelfth straight

Photo courtesy of Michael Wyke/Associated Press

At the very least, it was a decent moral victory, but at this point it's doubtful the team really cares for wins of those nature.

Despite a valiant effort from veteran point guard John Wall, the Rockets couldn't avoid dropping their twelfth straight game, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night by a score of 101-90 at the Toyota Center.

Houston, playing the second half of a back-to-back, looked much more lively against the Cavs than they did in their 49-point loss to the Grizzlies the night prior. For one, they didn't shoot a franchise-record low from the field (shooting 40% from the field is substantially better than 27%), and their defense managed to prevent Cleveland from running them off the court.

Leading the improved charge was John Wall, who dropped a season-high 32 in the contest on just under 50% shooting. Additionally, Wall dished out five assists, while turning the ball over only three times. He made nine of his twelve free throws.

Wall's backcourt mate Victor Oladipo also put in a positive performance, going for 20 points and three each of assists, rebounds and steals.

Unfortunately, those two were about the only Rockets to have a decent night offensively. Wall and Oladipo were the only Rockets who scored in double figures, and with Eric Gordon resting in the second half of the back-to-back, the second unit largely floundered about without either of the two backcourt starters to lead them.

Additionally, the Rockets were once again out-rebounded by a sizable margin. The Cavs grabbed 48 rebounds to Houston's 30, and Jarrett Allen once again dominated the glass against the woefully undersized Rockets, snagging 15 boards for Cleveland.

Despite the encouraging defensive effort, young Cavs guard Collin Sexton almost single-handedly carried the Cavaliers against the Rockets, going for 39 points in the Cleveland win. The next highest-scoring Cav was Darius Garland with 14.

Houston, staring at twelve straight losses in a row, now stares at a very somber All-Star weekend, with one more game prior to the break--a fated reunion with James Harden, in a game against the title-contending Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night on ESPN.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM CT.