Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets: Postgame Grades and Analysis

LeBron James missed a pair of potential game-tying free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining in overtime, allowing the Houston Rockets to edge the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-103 Sunday at the Toyota Center.

James netted 37 points but was a mediocre 15-of-35 from the field and porous 3-of-11 from the line.

Cleveland was without Kyrie Irving (shoulder) for the second consecutive game and failed to replicate the point guard's contributions. As a team, the Cavaliers were 12-of-40 from long distance and 11-of-21 at the line.

Houston, on the other hand, rolled in 26 of its 33 free-throw attempts and improved to 5-0 in overtime contests this season. James Harden propelled the Rockets with 33 points.

The referees allowed both teams to play a physical game but whistled a total of five technical fouls and one flagrant.

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James: C

Through the opening 24 minutes, James was visibly upset on multiple occasions after not receiving foul calls that he usually does. LeBron spent more time complaining than adjusting.

However, the small forward did an excellent job defending Harden after being switched onto him during the third quarter. James racked up 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks, but it wasn't enough.

Kevin Love: C-

The power forward received some low-post touches and capitalized, knocking down each of his five first-half buckets inside the paint. Then during the latter half, he buried three straight trifectas before disappearing due to LeBron's isolation-heavy finish.

As per usual, Love was decent on the glass but shied away from contesting a few shots. He ended the bout with 21 points, six boards and three dimes, going scoreless over the final 23-plus minutes.

Timofey Mozgov: B

Cleveland's midseason acquisition was a huge factor in the initial frame. Timofey Mozgov overpowered Donatas Motiejunas in the paint for eight quick points and unquestionably gave the largest defensive impact.

However, Mozgov took a back seat to Tristan Thompson, logging just 18 minutes during the loss. The Russian center scored 10 points and should have been utilized more despite Thompson's stellar day.

J.R. Smith: B-

Cleveland needed a scoring boost without Irving on the floor, but it didn't come from J.R. Smith. He missed eight of his first nine attempts, including a meager 1-of-7 three-point clip.

The shooting guard was 3-of-13 overall and chipped in 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Smith played a game-high 51 minutes and was consistently active on defense.

Rest of Team: B-

Thompson grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds off the bench, including 11 of the offensive variety. But the Cavs only scored six second-chance points following those boards.

Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert and James Jones combined to shoot 4-of-13 from behind the arc, matching Thompson's 14 points.

Houston Rockets

James Harden: B

If the Cavs cheated under a screen, Harden pulled up for a triple. When Cleveland pursued the MVP candidate over the top, he drove the lane. Long story short, that caused the LeBron adjustment.

It wasn't all fun and games for Harden, though. He kicked LeBron below the belt, and the childish move earned Harden a well-deserved flagrant. The shooting guard finished 15-of-18 from the charity stripe, brought down eight rebounds, dished five assists and logged three steals.

Josh Smith: D+

The effort was there, but complete execution was not. Josh Smith managed four assists and grabbed a couple steals. He did have an important late denial.

But his shooting production was lacking. Smith misfired on all four attempts from downtown and was just 1-of-9 outside of five feet, yet Houston managed to overcome his mediocre showing.

Terrence Jones: C

Terrence Jones wasn't a reliable finisher on pick-and-roll plays. Harden would feed the Kentucky product in the post, but Jones missed a couple looks he needs to convert in the future.

Nevertheless, the power forward provided a decent presence as Dwight Howard's replacement, netting 19 points and snagging seven rebounds in 44 minutes of work.

Trevor Ariza: B

On the defensive end, Trevor Ariza kept LeBron from attacking in isolation sets, forcing the superstar to settle for a jumper, pass the ball or wait for a screen. Ariza registered seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Granted, that effort must have limited the Houston small forward on the other side. Ariza hoisted a season-low four shots—missing all three from deep—and committed three turnovers.

Rest of Team: C+

Motiejunas atoned for his early defensive struggles by knocking down a pair of triples. The Lithuanian tallied 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Patrick Beverley added 12 points, five assists, five rebounds and a key three-pointer in overtime.

Corey Brewer, who during the ABC broadcast called Houston's second unit the best in basketball, failed to back up the brag. He and Jason Terry splashed consecutive trifectas to give Houston a fourth-quarter lead but were otherwise ineffective, combining for a negative-18 rating.

What's Next?

Cleveland (37-24) returns home to host the Boston Celtics (23-33) on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. ET. Fox Sports Ohio will televise the Eastern Conference matchup.

Houston (41-18) enters game No. 2 of a brutal three-game stretch, battling the East-leading Atlanta Hawks (47-12) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Root Sports Southwest and NBATV will broadcast the clash.

The Rockets then battle the Memphis Grizzlies (42-16) the following night, an 8 p.m. ET tipoff also on Root Sports Southwest.

Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR