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Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers prediction, pick for Saturday 12/27/25

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Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers prediction, pick for Saturday 12/27/25


Sean Barnard details his preview and prediction for Saturday’s Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA matchup.

There are nine games of NBA action tipping off across today’s Saturday slate. Tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Houston Rockets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This marks the second matchup between these two cross-conference opponents this season. The Rockets picked up a 114-104 victory back on November 19th, with this matchup taking place in Cleveland. Tonight’s game will take place in Houston, with the Rockets looking to build off their momentum from their Christmas Day victory over the Lakers.

Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Rockets enter as 3.5-point favorites and hold -175 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Cavaliers hold +145 odds of getting the outright victory with the game total set at 233.5 points.

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This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Saturday night matchup.

Rockets vs. Cavaliers prediction, preview

The Houston Rockets are off to an 18-10 start to the season and sit in sixth place in the Western Conference. Their 119-96 win over the Lakers on Christmas Day was a lift in momentum after they had dropped four of their previous five games. Houston is 16-12 against the spread this season and the over is 17-10-1 on the year.

Kevin Durant headlines the scoring production with 25.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Alperen Sengun has taken an impressive leap forward in his development this season, averaging 22.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. Sengun is listed as questionable for the matchup with calf soreness. Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed Sheppard, and Tari Eason have each shown encouraging strides in their development. Dorian Finney-Smith also made his return to the court in the previous game and will serve as a veteran presence in the Rockets’ rotation. While there seems to be some growing optimism that he could return before the season is over, Fred VanVleet remains sidelined with the torn ACL he suffered in the summer.

As a team, Houston is scoring 120.5 points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Rockets are producing the second-best offensive rating, rank fourth in field goal percentage, second in three-point percentage, and pull in the most rebounds per game. Defensively, opponents are scoring 112.1 points per game against them. This also marks the third-best rate, although they rank 11th in defensive rating, 11th in opponent field goal percentage, and 12th in opponent three-point percentage. Houston plays at the second-slowest pace in the league.

The Cleveland Cavaliers hold a 17-15 record on the season, which slots them at seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They suffered a 126-124 loss to the Knicks on Christmas in which Cleveland led for 74% of the matchup but blew a 17-point lead. Cleveland is an NBA-worst 10-22 against the spread this season and the over/under is 16-16 in matchups they have played this year.

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Donovan Mitchell headlines the production for the Cavaliers, averaging 30.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Evan Mobley pitches in 18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while Jarrett Allen adds 13.6 points and 7.6 boards of his own. Darius Garland has battled injury issues this year, but is listed as probable and expected to play his 17th game of the season. The two-time All-Star is posting averages of 17.3 points and 7.1 assists when he has been on the floor. Jaylon Tyson has shown some encouraging growth in his development, while Dean Wade, Lonzo Ball, Sam Merrill, and Craig Porter Jr. round out most of their notable rotation. Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Cleveland is scoring 120.2 points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank ninth in offensive rating, 19th in field goal percentage, 21st in three-point percentage, ninth in assists per game, and seventh in pace. Defensively, opponents are scoring 117.8 points per game against the Cavaliers, which ranks 21st in the league. Cleveland ranks 16th in defensive rating, 14th in opponent field goal percentage, 26th in opponent three-point percentage, and 20th in opponent rebounds allowed.

Rockets vs. Cavaliers pick, best bet

Panic mode is beginning to kick in surrounding the Cavaliers. Coming off a season in which they led the Eastern Conference with a 64-18 record last year, Cleveland has not looked nearly as dangerous and nearly matched last year’s losses already. Most concerningly, Garland and Mitchell’s skillsets have not complimented each other, and Cleveland has regularly been dominated on the boards despite leaning on a double big lineup with Mobley and Allen at a regular rate.

This will be especially problematic against this Rockets team, who attack the glass with ferocity and will have the athletic advantage. The Rockets out-rebounded the Cavaliers 51-39 in the first matchup, and Houston leads the NBA with an average of 48.7 boards per game.

There is a level of toughness the Rockets possess that the Cavaliers will struggle to match. Houston also has a more defined identity, while Cleveland seems to still be attempting to find its own. Donovan Mitchell has put forth some heroic stat lines, but too often, he has failed to get the necessary help around him.

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You can critique some of Houston’s crunch-time offense, but this is not an issue that should be expected in this matchup. I am backing the Rockets to put this game away early and push the margin of victory well beyond the 3.5-point spread. The Cavaliers are posting an NBA-worst 10-22 record against the spread this season, including failing to cover in six of their last eight.

While the final score finished 114-104 in the first matchup, Houston led by as many as 22 points in the second half. A late push by Cleveland made the score closer than the game really was. I am backing the Rockets to cover the 3.5-spread, but give some consideration to some alternate spreads such as Rockets -7.5 at +150 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Rockets are the more talented, tougher, and more polished team. Expect them to have full control of this matchup and produce a convincing victory tonight.

Best Bet: Rockets -3.5 (-115)



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Cleveland, OH

Woman found dead in backyard of Cleveland home

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Woman found dead in backyard of Cleveland home


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A woman was found dead in the backyard of a home on the city’s West side Friday morning.

Officers responded to the 3400 block of Bosworth Rd. around 9 a.m. for a welfare check.

This is in the city’s West Boulevard neighborhood.

When officers arrived at the home, they found the victim.

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The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Officer will now determine the victim’s name and cause of death.

A child connected to the woman has been located and confirmed safe, said Cleveland police.

Police added the circumstances regarding the death remain under investigation.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Extreme heat warning ends Friday evening: What to expect

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Extreme heat warning ends Friday evening: What to expect


This forecast is outdated and inaccurate. Get the latest forecast here.

CLEVELAND (WJW) — (WJW) — The National Weather Service has extended its EXTREME HEAT WARNING for all of Northeast Ohio.

It will remain in effect until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3, in Ashland, Ashtabula, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning Medina, Ottawa, Portage, Richland, Sandusky, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties; and until 10 p.m. Friday, July 3, in Carroll, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties.

The heat waves continues! An EXTREME HEAT WARNING will remain in effect through 8 p.m. Friday. Heat indices could top 105 degrees during the hottest time of day on Friday.

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Once again, there will not be much relief from the heat and humidity overnight. Tonight lows will be in the mid to upper 70s again. Feeling warmer with the higher humidity. Mostly clear skies.

Friday will be the last sweltering summer day before the heat starts to back off for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. There is the chance of rain and storms Friday evening, around 7pm that could go through the late evening. This may impact some 4th of July celebrations on Friday. Any storm that pops up we’ll have to watch for the potential of gusty winds, heavy downpours and large hail.

This is what the radar could look like by the time some Fireworks celebrations are expected Friday evening. We have a level 2 out of 5 chance of any storm turning severe, meaning that 1 or 2 have the chance.

The upper-level ridge, or heat dome, will start to breakdown on Friday. This means two things. The first is it will go from being very hot and humid to being very warm and humid. The second thing is the chance of rain and threat of storms will return.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend will be far from a washout! There will be more dry time than time with downpours and storms. However, clusters of downpours and storms will move through Northeast Ohio at times. This means some Fourth of July events, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and firework shows could be impacted by rain and storms.

With all the heat and humidity around, any downpours or storms that develop could be strong and produce gusty winds, small hail, torrential rain, and lightning. Here’s the latest 8 Day Forecast:

Keep up with FOX 8 News for the latest weather updates.



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Mason and Bell preview all-Ohio showdown – FIGHTMAG

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Mason and Bell preview all-Ohio showdown – FIGHTMAG


Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell previewed their championship bout and came face to face at the press conference. The two fighters square off this Saturday, July 4, at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

  • Cleveland-based 22-year-old southpaw Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) of Bedford, Ohio, defends his WBO lightweight title after claiming the vacant belt last November by decision against Sam Noakes.
  • Toledo’s 33-year-old Bell (28-0, 9 KOs), who makes his first bid to become a champion, took the fight on short notice, replacing Joe Cordina of Wales.

See below what Mason and Bell had to say at the press conference on Thursday, following the open workout.

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Mason: I’m prepared to come out on top

“I’m excited. I’m super excited,” Mason said. “This is something me and my brothers have been looking forward to doing since we were amateurs. We fought on the same card a few times as amateurs, and all of us did it together on the last show my father threw here in Cleveland. It was huge.”

“At that time, we were like, ‘Yo, when we do this on a professional level, it’s going to be big for Cleveland.’ And now, it’s big for not only Cleveland, but it’s on TNT, so this is a national stage, a world stage with DAZN. I’m just excited to be able to put this show on with two of my brothers on the card.”

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“I feel like it [fight vs Sam Noakes] was definitely a much-needed experience. That’s not the type of fight you have all the time in your career. It was something I felt like I had to do that night. Every fight is different, and it definitely gave me some insight into how I’ll approach the rest of my career. So, it was a much-needed experience and a great fight.”

“It [opponent change] was definitely unexpected. Albert Bell – that’s our guy from Toledo. But it’s boxing. You’ve got to be prepared for anything, and I’m prepared to come out on top. Everything happens for a reason.”

“One thing I do want to say is, I’m the youngest world champion in boxing for a reason, and I’m prepared to show that when I step into the ring.”

“Boxing is offense, defense and IQ, and you’ve got to put it together and tailor it to the person you’re stepping in the ring with. So, with the opponent switch, I just have to tailor it to the person across the ring from me, and that’s Albert Bell.”

Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell face off at a press conference in Cleveland
Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell face off during a press conference in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 2, 2026. Photo by Top Rank

Bell: We’re here now, and that’s all that matters

“I mean, it caught me by surprise,” Bell said on stepping in to face Mason on short notice. “It was an ideal opponent for me. I wasn’t really thinking about fighting Abdullah, especially not this soon. But everything made sense. I talked to my pops about it, and it made sense, so I stepped in to save the card, get my world title opportunity and put on a show for all of Ohio.”

“I mean, I get turned down by a lot of guys. I’m not saying that in a cocky way or trying to act like I’m the boogeyman or anything like that, but a lot of guys say no when my name comes across their table. I would’ve had the name I was supposed to have by now if it weren’t for that, but what’s delayed is not denied. We’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”

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“I just need to be the best version of myself. I know he’s coming to be the best version of himself. He’s prepared, I’m prepared. We’re ready. We’re two top fighters, and we’re professionals. We’re both Ohioans. We’ve got history with each other, and it’s gonna be a show for sure.”

Mason vs Bell undercard

In the co-feature, Bruce Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn makes the first defense of his WBC featherweight title against Rene Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico.

On the undercard, Cleveland’s Delante “Tiger” Johnson (17-0, 8 KOs) takes on Canada-based Mexican Christopher Guerrero (16-0, 9 KOs) at welterweight.

Plus, Deric Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland, and Carlos Ramos (18-4-1, 10 KOs) of Spain by way of Ecuador, square off at lightweight.

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