Rockets vs Cavaliers Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 11/19/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
HOUSTON @ CLEVELAND (HOU -1.5, 233.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
ROCKETS @ CAVALIERS 11/19/25
Sam Merrill, a shooting guard, was given a four-year contract extension by the Cleveland Cavaliers this past summer after they took a chance on him three seasons prior. The move still yields benefits. On Monday, Merrill made 3 three-pointers and scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as Cleveland overcame the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 118-106.
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets visit Northeast Ohio for the first time this regular season on Wednesday, continuing the Cavaliers' six-game homestand. Throughout their comeback against Milwaukee, Cleveland was reliant on Merrill's hot hand, as he made 6 of 9 three-pointers after injuring his shooting hand finger on the game's first play.
"I jammed it on that first play," Merrill, who is ranked 28th in the league for three-point percentage (44.4%) and 11th in the league for three-pointers made, said. "To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to shoot, but adrenaline is a real thing so I figured it out."
In the Cavaliers' second consecutive victory, franchise player Donovan Mitchell finished with 37 points and seven assists. Evan Mobley, the current Defensive Player of the Year, finished with 14 points and six assists. The Cavaliers were fined $100,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for Mitchell and Mobley's absence from last Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat in violation of the player participation guideline.
Despite having won 10 of their first 15 games and sitting second in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland is still a work in progress because All-Star point guard Darius Garland is sidelined due to a persistent left toe injury.
Merrill's guidance and perimeter shooting have been a calming effect, according to Mitchell. While Merrill was a student at Utah State and Mitchell was a member of the Utah Jazz, they became friends.
"(Sam is) a guy that I can lean on, and we can lean on each other, to be honest," Mitchell stated. We review items and watch films while sitting on each flight. I've known him since before he entered the NBA. I adore him because he's always honest."
After defeating the Orlando Magic 117-113 in overtime at home on Sunday, the Rockets have had a few days to recover. Durant made a three-pointer to keep them within reach, and Alperin Sengun forced overtime with a hook shot just before the regulation buzzer.
Rapidly improving center Sengun nearly recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Durant finished with 35 points and 6 assists.
Houston is off to a 9-3 start and has the fourth-best record in the league despite losing point guard Fred VanVleet to a season-ending knee injury before training camp and adding future Hall of Famer Durant in a seven-team trade in June. Durant attributes his smooth transfer to coach Ime Udoka and his staff.
In their last three meetings with the Cavaliers, Houston won all three.
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FREE PICK
GAME TOTAL OVER 233.5
Houston, of course, is the top scoring team in the NBA right now. The Rockets average 124.8 points per game despite playing at one of the slower paces (24th, 103.4 possessions per game) in the NBA. The Rockets are No. 1 in the league in Offensive Rating, they’ve won 9 of their last 10 games. Over those last 10, Houston has averaged over 126 points per game. Cleveland is also a top-10 (8th) offense, averaging 120.9 points per game. Like Houston, the Over is trending for the Cavs. Six of their last eight games have gone Over the total. Each of the last six have cashed on the Over for Houston
