Cleveland Cavaliers (17-15) vs. Houston Rockets (18-10)
December 27, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Rockets -5.5; Over/Under: 236.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets do battle at the Toyota Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Rockets vs Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been struggling for form as they’ve lost nine of their last 14 games and they will be hoping for a better effort after coming up painfully short to the Knicks in a 126-124 road defeat on Christmas Day. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Darius Garland added 20 points with 10 assists on seven of 14 shooting while Jaylon Tyson chipped in with 16 points on seven of 11 shooting off the bench. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 52 percent from the field and 15 of 34 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 38 points in the first quarter to take an early 15-point lead. However, they squandered that lead and another 17-point lead in the fourth quarter to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets haven’t been playing at their best lately as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall. However, they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a two-game skid with a 119-96 road win over the Lakers on Christmas Day. Amen Thompson led the team with 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 12 of 19 shooting, Kevin Durant added 25 points with eight assists while Jabari Smith Jr chipped in with 16 points on six of nine shooting. As a team, the Rocket shot 53 percent from the field and eight of 24 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter to take control of the contest. Before they played great defense to limit the Lakers to just 43 points in the second half to secure the much-needed blowout win after two tough losses.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Cavaliers.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Cavaliers’ last five games at Toyota Center.
- The Rockets have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a win.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last four games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets’ last four games as favorites against the Cavaliers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Rockets vs Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavaliers are still missing Larry Nance Jr and Max Strus, while the Rockets have ruled out Fred VanVleet again, with Alperen Sengun listed as questionable for this one. The Cavaliers will be itching to get back on the court and atone for their mistakes in their Christmas Day loss, but it doesn’t get much easier for them as they travel to take on the Rockets. They just smashed the Lakers. Both teams have been playing well below their best lately so you couldn’t trust either side with too much confidence, but there is definitely more to like about the Rockets at the moment. The injury cloud hanging over the Rockets’ Sengun complicates things a little, but I still prefer the Rockets to get the win and cover at the short line against this slumping Cavaliers team.
