Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for 72 points in the defeat, losing three in a row for the first time this season.

As the Houston Rockets closed in on a second consecutive win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Amen Thompson closed in on his second career triple-double, the Rockets’ resident leader in the stat encouraged Thompson with no fear for his own status.

Amen Thompson came up with critical late rebounds and points as part of his triple-double performance, and the visiting Houston Rockets completed the regular-season sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 135-131 decision on Saturday.