After enduring a nightmarish 2023-24 campaign, Cavaliers star guard Darius Garland has revenge on mind this season.

Trailing the Houston Rockets 109–107 in the closing seconds, Cavaliers guard Darius Garland was fouled on a three-point attempt by Tari Eason and was gifted three free-throw attempts. After review, officials deemed that Eason's close-out was actually "reckless" and upgraded the personal foul to a flagrant foul 1—meaning Garland would get three free-throw attempts and the Cavaliers would receive the ball.

Another excellent performance

With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.

Before the 2024-25 season started, Darius Garland thought about leaving the Cavaliers following their second-round exit from the playoffs.

Paul George scored 30 points and the host Philadelphia 76ers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost back-to-back games for the second time all season.

Cleveland faces Houston in non-conference action. Saturday's matchup is the first of the season between the teams.

Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds left and Darius Garland missed two of three free throws after that to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 109-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Darius Garland is a 90% free throw shooter. That did not matter Wednesday night. The Cleveland point guard had a chance to give his Cavaliers the lead at the free throw line with 2.1 seconds remaining against the Houston Rockets.

Garland now has made 803 and counting three-pointers during his first six seasons with the Cavaliers. DG still has a long way to continue moving up this list, though. Kevin Love is in second place with 1,096 three-pointers, and LeBron James leads the way with 1,251.

After a brutal three-game road trip, the Sixers will return home on Friday night as losers of seven contests in a row. Things will not get any easier, as they will face the Eastern Conference-best Cleveland Cavaliers, who trashed the Sixers in Cleveland last month.