The Houston Rockets won a close game in overtime at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-103.

James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 33 points to go along with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Harden was 15 of 18 from the free throw line. Terrence Jones played well with 19 points on 6 of 10 from the field, and he also grabbed seven rebounds. Donatas Montiejunas finished with 16 points on 7 of 14 from the field. 

This game got really intense and physical. Two MVP candidates, Harden and LeBron James, really went at it this game. The Rockets held the Cavs to shoot only 40.8% from the field. The Rockets on offense shot 45.9% from the field.

The Rockets hold the #3 seed in the Western Conference without the help of Dwight Howard most of this season. 

For the Cavs, James led the way with 37 points, and he also plucked eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and blocked three shots. James was only 3 of 11 from the free throw line, which really hurt the Cavs' chances to win this game. He missed two big free throws in overtime with four seconds left . He could have given the Cavs a one-point lead had he hit both of them. Kevin Love put in 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, gave out three assists, and drained a trio of threes.

Tristan Thompson had a big game off the bench and put up a double double with 14 points and 19 rebounds. Eleven of Thompson's rebounds were offensive rebounds. The Cavs, in fact, out-rebounded the Rockets 53 to 36, but the Cavs did not shoot well enough from the field or from the free throw line to win this game. They shot 40.8% from the field and 52.4% on 11 of 21 from the free throw line as a team. James missed eight of the Cavs' 10 free throws. The Cavs were also only 30% on 12 of 40 from three-point range.

The Cavs still have the #4 seed in the East, and they are only 1/2 game behind the Chicago Bulls and one game behind the Toronto Raptors. The Cavs have tough road games coming up against the Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks. Kyrie Irving missed his second straight game with a shoulder strain, but he is expected to play next game at home against the Boston Celtics

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