Heat 104-100 Rockets (December 29, 2024) Game Recap

HOUSTON – Tyler Herro scored 27 points before he was one of six players sent off after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

Herro was knocked down by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat led 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the pitch.

Both players were ejected along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also traded to Miami.

Houston led 92-85 on a layup by Fred VanVleet with 8:10 left, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro hit Haywood Highsmith for a 3-pointer with 4:47 left met.

Herro’s jumper had 1:56 left in the game and put the Heat on top for good.

Takeaways

Heat: Nikola Jovic played for the second night in a row and missed Jimmy Butler for the fifth straight time. He finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat. Highsmith added 15 points.

Rockets: After blowing a 15-point fourth-quarter lead against the Wolves, Houston struggled on offense in the fourth quarter, shooting just 6-for-24 from the field. Dillon Brooks scored 22 points after missing the last three games because of a right ankle injury.

Key moment

Jovic’s 3-pointer with 47 seconds left gave Miami a 98-94 lead.

Key statistics

Miami outscored Houston, the NBA’s best offensive rebounding team, 15-9 on second chances.

Next

The Rockets host Dallas on Wednesday and the Heat host New Orleans on Wednesday.