Live Thread: Cavs @ Rockets (#HoustonWeMightStillHaveAProblem)

Tom Hanks is a great actor. He’s been in a lot of movies… many of which he’s been able to save with his performances. Likewise, LeBron James is a great basketball player. He’s been on a lot of teams… many of which he’s been able to save with his performances. Yet, there are always the rare cases when no matter the efforts of one man, great though he may be at his craft, can elevate the supporting cast enough to produce an entertaining or satisfying outcome.

This is to say that, despite the two wins in the past three games by the Cavs to bring some sense of stability to this rocky early ride, the challenges standing in the way of a safe landing at the top of the Eastern Conference still loom large. It took 87 points from LeBron in those two contests (with also possibly Kevin Love’s best game as a Cav in the second one) to navigate the team to victory. And, it’s not like they gave up any less points to the opposition (122 and 119 respectively), while also dropping a clunker that appeared much closer than it was to the lowly Hawks in between.

The obvious issue is defensive. The Cavs have burned points to their opponents like rocket fuel, and when they’re not hitting on all offensive cylinders themselves… it can get ugly in a hurry. Speaking of Rocket fuel, Cleveland arrives in Houston to face possibly their biggest challenge to date in James Harden and his skyrocketing mates. The Rockets are 8-3 to start the young season, doing it mainly without the services of newly acquired banana boat buddy, Chris Paul. Oddly, both teams average the same 109.9 points per game, yet Houston is also giving up 10 points less per game defensively. They still shoot the lights out from the perimeter (a sore spot for the Cavs so far), and are coming off a 137 point performance against one of the stingiest defenses in the League against Utah. And, oh by the way, Harden almost matched LeBron’s season high with 56 of his own in that one.

So, the question will be whether or not the Cavs can do enough to slow down the Rockets from deep, while doing their best to fire off their own shots. Derrick Rose will sit this one out with a sore ankle, and Iman Shumpert takes his place in the starting unit. Not sure if that’s good or bad news. The best news, though, is that this is another nationally televised game… and the Cavs usually fare pretty well in those.

Catch all the action starting at 8pm EST on TNT, and don’t forget to chime in here… Let us know if you think the Cavs will prevail or if we’ve got a problem in Houston.