Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game preview

With 72-10 off the table, it's time for Houston to pack it in and get ready for next year. Hopefully they'll last longer in the 2015-16 season.

Until then, have a good year!

The Cavaliers were part of an...interesting 3-team trade on Monday night. The Cavs traded Dion Waiters and in return received J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, along with a protected first round pick from Oklahoma City. I'm sure by the time you read this that you'll have seen more analysis on this trade than you ever wanted, but from a Cleveland perspective it's a sweet deal for the fact that it lets them still have a bench scorer and gives them a wing defender in Shumpert. Plus, a first round pick is always nice, no matter where it lands.

Cleveland will be without LeBron James in this one, as he's still out for another week or so. Kyrie Irving missed the Cavs' most recent game with back tightness, and he's day-to-day as of this writing.

Schedule breakdown: Both teams played and lost on Monday. The Cavs lost to the Sixers, and Houston fans know what it means when Philadelphia is involved. Look for the Cavs to come out playing for their pride. The Rockets have won both "pride games" this season that have involved Philly, and they will try to make it 3-0 without giving anyone a heart attack.

Cleveland is still a really good team with Irving and Love. They'll be pissed. They'll be at home. They'll have a couple of new fun pieces. They'll be ready.

And hey, maybe we won't get only 5 free throws in this game!

Tip off is at 6pm CST on ESPN.

Rockets vs Cavaliers coverage

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