Green posted game-highs of 26 points and 11 rebounds and VanVleet added 13 points and 16 assists to guide the Rockets to their seventh victory in eight games. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Rockets seized control behind a balanced scoring attack in the second quarter.All five starters scored in double figures for Houston. Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 20 points and seven rebounds while rookie Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds.
Green was the ignition for the Rockets in the first period, pouring in 14 points on just seven attempts in the quarter. There were eight lead changes and three ties in the opening frame -- Mitchell scored eight points in the first for Cleveland. The Rockets began to pull away in the second, thanks in part to Jae'Sean Tate and his eight points by the 8:41 mark.The Rockets extended to a 70-54 lead by the intermission.