Cavaliers vs Rockets: Time, TV, Preview & Live Score (Jan 3)

Updated Oct 11, 2026, 2:45 AM ET

Regular Season

Cleveland CavaliersCavaliers

2-1 · Away

7:00 PM ET

Scheduled

Sunday, January 3, 2027

Houston RocketsRockets

4-0 · Home

Cavaliers vs Rockets tips off at 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT) on Sunday, January 3, 2027 at Toyota Center, Houston. TV: Rock Entertainment Sports Network (Cavaliers), Space City Home Network (Rockets).

How to Watch Cavaliers vs Rockets: Time, TV & Stream

Date & time: Sunday, January 3, 20277:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT

Watch on: Local TV onlyLocal: Cavaliers Rock Entertainment Sports Network · Rockets Space City Home Network

Stream: NBA League PassCavaliers: DAZN · Rockets: Space City Home Network app

Arena: Toyota CenterHouston

League Pass carries this game outside both teams' markets; inside them it is on the local channel or stream. Outside the US: NBA League Pass International, no blackouts. Canada: NBA League Pass Canada.

Add to calendarGoogle Apple / Outlook

Injury Report

Player	Team	Pos	Status	Injury	Since
Alperen Sengun	Rockets	C	Out	Back	Oct 27, 2026
Marcus Smart	Rockets	G	Out	Forearm	Oct 24, 2026
Steven Adams	Rockets	C	Out	Soleus	Oct 24, 2026
Khalifa Diop	Cavaliers	C	Out	Knee	Oct 27, 2026
NaeQwan Tomlin	Cavaliers	F	Out	Back	Oct 20, 2026

Status as of 6:00 PM ET, Oct 28. Teams can change a player's status up to tip-off; check team announcements before the game.

Key Players

Cavaliers

Donovan MitchellG · 3 GP26.7PTS6.7REB4.7AST
Evan MobleyF · 3 GP18.7PTS8.7REB3.0AST
James HardenG · 3 GP15.7PTS5.0REB7.0AST

Rockets

Alperen SengunC · 4 GP24.5PTS9.0REB7.0AST
Kevin DurantF · 4 GP23.5PTS6.5REB3.5AST
Amen ThompsonG · 4 GP17.0PTS9.0REB4.0AST

Season averages, top three scorers per team.

Cavaliers vs Rockets Preview

The Cavaliers are 2-1 this season, while the Rockets are 4-0 this season.

The Rockets won last season's series 2-0. The Rockets rank 4th in free throw %, the biggest gap between these teams. Players to watch: Donovan Mitchell (26.7 points per game) and Alperen Sengun (24.5 points per game).

Cavaliers vs Rockets Head-to-Head

2026-27 season seriesFirst meeting this season

2025-26 season seriesRockets 2-0

Previous meetings

Dec 27, 2025 Cavaliers @ Rockets 100-117
Nov 19, 2025 Rockets @ Cavaliers 114-104

Cavaliers vs Rockets Season Stats 2026-27

Cavaliers 3 GPRockets 4 GP

119.3#9

Points per game

120.8#7

120.0#19

Opponent points

111.0#11

46.6%#9

Field goal %

50.6%#3

36.6%#11

Three-point %

39.0%#4

74.4%#17

Free throw %

83.8%#4

46.0#11

Rebounds

45.3#13

26.3#13

Assists

28.8#4

9.7#11

Steals

9.8#9

8.3#2

Blocks

5.3#13

18.0#28

Turnovers

16.3#19

Regular-season averages; rank of 30 teams.

Standings Context

Eastern Conference

#	Team	W-L	GB
4	Hornets	3-1	–
5	Raptors	2-1	0.5
6	Cavaliers	2-1	0.5
7	Hawks	2-2	1.0
8	Pacers	2-2	1.0

Western Conference

#	Team	W-L	GB
1	Thunder	4-0	–
2	Rockets	4-0	–
3	Grizzlies	4-0	–
4	Trail Blazers	3-0	0.5

More NBA Games on Jan 3, 2027

5:00 PM ET Local TV
Detroit Pistons3-1
Denver Nuggets1-2
Out: Isaiah Joe, Jalen Duren, Alpha Diallo +2 morePreview ›
5:30 PM ET Local TV
Charlotte Hornets3-1
Milwaukee Bucks1-3
Out: Coby White, Grant Williams, Kon Knueppel +1 morePreview ›
6:00 PM ET Local TV
Memphis Grizzlies4-0
Orlando Magic1-2
Out: Izaiyah Nelson, Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac +2 morePreview ›
7:00 PM ET Local TV
Los Angeles Clippers1-2
Washington Wizards2-2
Out: Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Miller +6 morePreview ›
7:00 PM ET Local TV
San Antonio Spurs2-2
Minnesota Timberwolves3-1
Out: Jayden Quaintance, Tobias Harris, Anthony EdwardsPreview ›
7:00 PM ET Local TV
Los Angeles Lakers3-1
Toronto Raptors2-1
Out: Kawhi Leonard, Nate BittlePreview ›
8:00 PM ET Local TV
Sacramento Kings0-4
Oklahoma City Thunder4-0
Out: Ben Simmons, Dylan Cardwell, Keegan Murray +7 morePreview ›

This Cavaliers vs Rockets page updates on its own: live score during the game, box score and recap minutes after the final buzzer. Next: Cavaliers host the Raptors Jan 5; Rockets host the Timberwolves Jan 5.

Cavaliers vs Rockets FAQs

What time does Cavaliers vs Rockets start?

The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Houston Rockets on Sunday, January 3, 2027 at Toyota Center in Houston. Tip-off is 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT).

What channel is Cavaliers vs Rockets on?

Local TV: Rock Entertainment Sports Network (Cavaliers), Space City Home Network (Rockets). Out-of-market fans can stream it on NBA League Pass.

What are the Cavaliers and Rockets records?

Going into this game the Cavaliers were 2-1 and the Rockets were 4-0 this season.

Who is injured for Cavaliers vs Rockets?

As of 6:00 PM ET, Oct 28: Alperen Sengun (Rockets, out, back); Marcus Smart (Rockets, out, forearm); Steven Adams (Rockets, out, soleus); Khalifa Diop (Cavaliers, out, knee); NaeQwan Tomlin (Cavaliers, out, back).

How did Cavaliers vs Rockets go last season?

The Rockets won the regular-season series 2-0 in 2025-26.

Who won the last Cavaliers vs Rockets game?

The Rockets beat the Cavaliers 117-100 on Dec 27, 2025 at home.

Where is Cavaliers vs Rockets being played?

At Toyota Center in Houston, the home arena of the Houston Rockets.

Is Cavaliers vs Rockets on NBA League Pass?

Yes, outside the Cavaliers and Rockets markets. Inside them the game is on the local channel and the team's streaming service (Space City Home Network app for Rockets fans). Outside the US, NBA League Pass International carries every game.