Anytime Cleveland square off with Houston, unexpected things happen. Today it was Houston head coach Bob who gave Cleveland bulletin-board material and ended up eating crow, thanks to some ill-timed comments he made earlier in the day. Two hours before game-time, Bob said that "Cleveland shouldn't even show up tonight. We're pumped, we're on a hot streak, and we're just better. We're gonna win so big Cleveland might never recover." After the game, the only one from Cleveland to speak was head coach Bob, who said simply, "Scoreboard, baby." Final score: Cleveland 130, Houston 102.

Cleveland was led by Smith (22 points, 10 assists), Newcomb (23 points, a steal, a block), Bravo (16 points, 1 assists, 3 blocks). Houston was led by Howard (25 points), Joseph (16 points, 5 assists, a steal), James (11 points, a steal, 2 blocks).

Cleveland are now 31-24 and 20-8 at home. They remain at #5 in the Central and stay at #9 overall in the Eastern Conference. Houston stand at 25-29. They remain at #5 in the Southwest and hold at #8 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Cleveland roster Houston roster