Miami Heat, as the song says, “I never meant to be so bad to you, one thing I said I would never do”….name my Miami Heat columns after a pop culture song but it was “in the heat of the moment.”
Yes. “In the Heat of the moment.” Get it?
The Miami Heat came into the game hosting the Houston Rockets going 1-10 in their past 11 games with the second-worst record in the NBA. Moreover the Rockets are the third-best team in the NBA record wise so I did not need to guess who was favored.
Eyebrows were raised.
Goran Dragic had 21 points and eight assists, Wayne Ellington scored 18 off the bench and the Heat overcame another triple-double from James Harden to beat the Rockets 109-103 on Tuesday night.
The Heat entered the contest 5-13 at home this season, including 2-5 against the Western Conference. It was arguably Miami’s best win of the season especially since the injury bug was somewhere to be found in the American Airlines Arena.
Absences of guard Josh Richardson (foot) and backup center Willie Reed (sternum). Forwards Justice Winslow (shoulder), Chris Bosh (blood clots) and Josh McRoberts (foot) are all out for the season.
MVP candidate James Harden had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Rockets (32-12), his 13th triple-double of the season. He shot 12 for 30 from the field and got his triple-double you can walk.
Improvements can only make the team better. It was Miami’s first home game since Jan. 1. Okaro White come on down. He was signed to a 10-day contract Tuesday, but did not play. Miami held the Rockets to a 9-for-39 night from 3-point range. Miami’s bench outscored Houston’s 51-32.
The beat goes on for Houston in a back-to-back as they host Milwaukee. The Heat host Dallas on Thursday in the second game of a four-game homestand.
Photo/RomanGaray/WORLDWIDEWEST
