Veteran head coach Garland Thompson says his team is making strides a month into the season. “I think we are headed up a little bit. You don’t want to peak too soon, obviously. It is just January.

After a recent home win, the longest-tenured veteran in Cleveland’s dressing room, Tristan Thompson, was shouting out all the top-tier guards Garland had bested in head-to-head matchups.

Key moment After Garland made two free throws to even the score with 1:51 remaining, Houston answered with a 10-2 run to seize a 134-126 lead, fueled by five points from Thompson. Mitchell missed ...