Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game preview

The Rockets are on a 4-game winning streak.

The Cavaliers are 18-3 since going under .500 at 19-20.

These teams met in Cleveland earlier in January with the Rockets winning 105-93, but both teams will look very different. The Cavs needed an incredible game from Kyrie Irving (38 points on 15-26 shooting) to hang with Houston, and the Rockets got a monster 17/19 from Dwight Howard. Both of those players will be out today.

LeBron James didn't play in that game. He's pretty good. Cleveland also traded for Timofey Mozgov after that game. He's been playing well for them and filled a huge need in the paint.

Terrence Jones didn't play in that game either. He's not as good as LeBron, but still pretty good.

Tonight starts a tough week for Houston, with five games in seven nights, including 3 games in 4 days against 3 of the top teams in the NBA, which turns into a 4-games-in-5-nights to end the week.

LeBron sat out Cleveland's last game on Friday against Indiana, presumably to get rest. If you're a Harden for MVP guy, you probably saw him doing it because he wants to put on a show against another MVP candidate. Either way, the Rockets will get a fresh LeBron and that's not good.

Finally, is anyone ignoring LeBron in the MVP conversation? All I saw this week were pieces saying "Don't forget LeBron in the MVP race!" Seriously, who's ignoring him? No one. He's an amazing basketball player. We haven't forgotten.

Tip-off is at 2:30pm CST on ABC.

Cavaliers vs Rockets coverage

Fear The Sword