For a second straight game, the Rockets lost a heartbreaker to a probable playoffs-bound opponent with only 0.3 seconds left. This time, it came on a lob to Jimmy Butler from an out-of-bounds play, giving Miami a 97-95 home win (box score) over Houston on Friday.
But for the young and rebuilding Rockets, who lost their fifth straight game, there was a lot to otherwise like. For starters, the same group that had given up 130 or more points in three consecutive games buckled down defensively to hold the Heat below 100 points.’
On both ends of the court, it was arguably the best professional game to date for rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who had 22 points, 8 rebounds, and a key blocked shot in 34 minutes. Smith connected on 8-of-16 shots (50.0%) overall, including 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%) and all three of his free throws. Those included two in the game’s final minute to tie the game under immense pressure.
Tyler Herro led the Heat (31-25) with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11-of-20 shooting (55.0%), including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers.
Other key statistics for the Rockets (13-43) included:
- KJ Martin: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers; 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Alperen Sengun: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers; 3-of-9 shooting (33.3%)
- Jalen Green: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnoers: 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 0-of-9 on 3-pointers
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston, as its three-game road trip continues, is Monday’s game at Philadelphia. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.
Stephen Silas said he repeatedly told his players not to switch in the last play. They did anyway until Butler was left alone to roll to the rim.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 11, 2023
Jabari is going to be a monster eventually. These are 19-20 year old kids.
— ScootNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) February 11, 2023
I rarely, if ever complain about officiating, but I just don’t understand even after review how they still claimed that was a foul on Tate. It should’ve been a foul on Butler.
With that said some more late TO’s were costly and Miami executed to perfection on that last play. https://t.co/JfIC2NvtEx
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) February 11, 2023
Nix got swallowed up and it all broke down after that
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 11, 2023
Once you slot it down and blow it up, the foul call on Tate is even worse. Butler initiates all the contact and obviously hooks Tate’s arm to get the foul call. Tate had no chance on that play pic.twitter.com/oIAzAZHTDm
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 11, 2023
NBA has to change the rule that allows offensive players to create all the contact and still get the foul call
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 11, 2023
So a couple of things on this last play. First, bad communication. Nix and KJ end up both guarding one player and not switching after the slip, which throws off the entire defensive possession. Then Nix gets loss in the paint and Green doesn’t see the back door pic.twitter.com/G8sNFi5r17
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 11, 2023
Big defensive letdown at the worst possible time. Miscommunication. Nix overcompensated — Martin was still with his man and didn’t need to switch. Scrambling ensued, Butler gets a back door alley to win the game. Wow.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 11, 2023
Wed.: Fox hits 3 FT w/ 0.3 left to beat #Rockets 130-128.
Fri: after Jalen Green ties the game on a layup w/ 0.7 secs left, Butler gets an alley-oop on an inbounds play w/ 0.3 secs left to beat the Rockets 97-95.— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) February 11, 2023
Heat scored 39 points in the second half, 9 came in the game’s final 51 seconds
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 11, 2023
Stephen Silas is not happy at all with the final play, saying he repeatedly told the #Rockets players not to switch. “I said in the huddle, ‘Stay home. Stay home. Stay home.’ and we didn’t stay home and then it was an avalanche after that.” pic.twitter.com/YnPGKnV1zw
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2023
In the end it was an okay game, they kept it close
Wish Jabari had stayed hot in the second quarter I want him to succeed so bad, it was still a good game but it coulda been a special game
Tari was okay, KJ was ok
Besides removing Nix, rotations were cool, 100% young #Rockets
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) February 11, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. on what he told himself before he knocked down two clutch free throws to tie it with 10.2 seconds left: “Don’t miss. Just relax. Block everything out. Trust your work.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2023
On that last play Nix looked like a 2K player when he gets stuck…Just going in circles…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 11, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr.: “I feel like the stats will show that I’m not developing as I want to, but I feel like I’m learning. I’ve learned so much about this game. The game has slowed down so much for me. I feel like I’m developing great.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2023
#Rockets vs Heat Thoughts:
1. The Miami Heat stink
2. Jabari was a force on both ends. One of his best defensive games of the year
3. TyTy was solid all around (5 dimes/0 turnovers)
4. Good stuff from Josh Christopher in limited minutes
5. Best defense they played all season
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 11, 2023
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