clarinews@clarinet.com (RICHARD LUNA, UPI Sports Writer) (01/18/90)
HOUSTON (UPI) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers handled Houston's defense for two quarters, but their good fortune ran out in the third quarter. By the time it was all over, Buck Johnson scored 22 points and Akeem Olajuwon added 19 points and 19 rebounds Wedneday, leading Houston to a 107-98 win over Cleveland and giving the Rockets their seventh straight homecourt victory. ``The main thing was we played a more aggressive defense in the second half,'' said Houston forward Otis Thorpe, who finished with 21 points as Houston snapped a two-game losing streak and ended Cleveland's three-game win streak. ``We created turnovers and that led to the fast breaks.'' Larry Nance paced Cleveland with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Mark Price added 17 points. ``The whole game we were very lethargic,'' said Cleveland Coach Lennie Wilkins. ``We didn't react to the double-teams. It finally got to us in the third quarter. We didn't shoot or more the ball very well.'' The Rockets led 53-50 entering the third quarter and quickly outscored Cleveland 15-6, with Eric ``Sleepy'' Floyd's layup at 6:42 giving Houston a 68-56 lead. Chucky Brown hit two free throws for Cleveland, then Thrope scored two consecutive baskets, sparking an 8-0 run that capped a 23-8 outburst in the period, and putting Houston ahead 76-58, with 4:22 showing. The Rockets shot 58 percent from the field in the third quarter, with Olajuwon, Floyd, Johnson and Thorpe combining for 23 points. Cleveland managed just 7 of 20 from the field (35 percent) and was outrebounded 15-8. ``They got their running game together,'' Nance said. ``They got their break together. We were cold from the outside, but they definitely played a good defensive game.'' Cleveland closed to within 13 three times before Houston increased its lead to 21 points with just over six minutes to play. Cleveland closed to within 9 in the final minute. The Rockets' biggest lead of the first half was 7 points following a three-point play by Thorpe with 1:36 left. Cleveland outscored Houston 5-1 the rest of the way to cut the deficit to 53-50 at halftime. ``The difference was we played good defense and we controlled the boards,'' Olajuwon said. ``That got our fast breaks going and we were able to pull away.''