Greater Houston native Jimmy Butler returned home Thursday and had a triple-double for Miami, leading the defending Eastern Conference champions to a 101-94 victory (box score) over the reeling Rockets at Toyota Center. With the Heat up three in the game’s final minute, Houston failed to secure a defensive rebound on two occasions, and Butler (27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) made two free throws to ice the game.
It’s the fourth straight win by the Heat (11-14) and the fourth straight loss for Houston (11-14), with the losing skid dating back to the reinjury of Christian Wood’s right ankle. His return timetable is unknown.
Making matters worse, the Rockets had two more starters leave Thursday’s game early with injuries. Victor Oladipo (sore right ankle, foot) and PJ Tucker (left thigh contusion) each went to the locker room during Thursday’s third quarter and did not return. In postgame interviews, head coach Stephen Silas did not know whether either would be available in time for Houston’s next game, which is Saturday night in New York.
Between Wood, Oladipo, and Tucker, the Rockets were down three starters, their two leading scorers, and arguably their top defenders. It showed in a 10-point third quarter, which allowed the Heat to turn a 6-point halftime deficit into a 12-point lead heading to the fourth.
The Rockets shot poorly, going 38.6% from the field and 30.0% on 3-pointers. The defense by Miami, led by the likes of Butler and Bam Adebayo, certainly played a role. Veteran guards John Wall and Eric Gordon each led Houston with 17 points, while big man DeMarcus Cousins secured a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes. Rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate had 16 points and 7 rebounds.
See below for highlights and postgame reaction. Houston will practice on Friday afternoon before flying to New York, and that’s when we may learn more regarding the prognosis for Oladipo and Tucker.
