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Heat Fight Their Way To Big Win Over Rockets
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) handles the ball against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. | Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat pulled off a gutsy win against the Houston Rockets, coming back from a 12-point deficit in the third quarter. This game had it all - clutch shots, a bench-clearing brawl, and some standout performances from unexpected players.
Main points:
• The Heat fought back from 12 down in the third, with their run coinciding with Nikola Jovic entering the game
• A wild ending saw Fred VanVleet ejected for arguing a call, followed by Amen Thompson throwing Tyler Herro to the ground
• The ensuing brawl led to ejections for Thompson, Jalen Green, Ime Udoka, Herro, and Terry Rozier
• Miami went on to win 104-100 in what could be considered one of their best victories this season
The game’s bizarre ending was the talk of the night. VanVleet got tossed after brushing the referee while arguing a five-second call. Then, out of nowhere, Thompson flipped Herro to the ground, sparking a full-on brawl. It was a scene straight out of WWE, with Rozier coming in hot with a spear tackle from the sideline.
What’s interesting is how the Heat players seemed to relish the moment. Herro and Jovic were seen laughing and dapping each other up as they walked away, while the Rockets remained heated. It’s a reminder that the “Heat culture” isn’t completely dead - there’s still that spark of toughness and attitude.
Speaking of Herro, he had himself a game. He dropped 27 points, including 11 in the third quarter and 6 in the fourth. But it wasn’t just his scoring - he dished out 9 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds. His playmaking has taken a significant leap this season, adding another dimension to his game.
Nikola Jovic was another standout, swinging the game with his energy off the bench. His willingness to take big shots, especially that clutch three-pointer to put the Heat up by four, showed his growing confidence. It’s a far cry from the hesitant player we saw earlier in the season.
This win is particularly impressive considering the Heat were without Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson. They pieced together a makeshift lineup and still managed to come out on top against a solid Rockets team.
In the end, this game showcased the Heat’s resilience and depth. They’ve now won three of their last four games and are 3-2 without Butler in the lineup. It’s the kind of win that could give them momentum as they push for a better playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Rumor Bam Adebayo could play a pivotal role in recruiting an All-Star guard to the Miami Heat, significantly boosting the team’s chances in the upcoming season. (All U Can Heat)
Analysis The Miami Heat’s eight most important players have set ambitious New Year’s resolutions to enhance their performance, aiming for a stronger and more cohesive team dynamic. (All U Can Heat)
Fans The mother of a Rockets forward expressed her frustration with Tyler Herro following a viral altercation, highlighting the intensity and passion surrounding the Miami Heat. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Terry Rozier stands ready to defend Tyler Herro amidst recent controversies, emphasizing the team’s unity and resilience against external pressures. (Sports Illustrated)
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Game-Ending Brawl Shows Miami Heat Culture Is Alive and Well After a wild ending that saw Nikola Jovic hit a dagger 3-pointer and a bench-clearing brawl breakout in the final seconds, the Miami Heat beat the Houston Rockets as Tyler Herro continues to make his All-Star case. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to the win, the fight, Jovic’s spark and ask if Herro should be an All-Star lock.
Can Pat Riley’s Decision Unite the Miami Heat? Will Pat Riley’s emphatic declaration against trading Jimmy Butler work for the Miami Heat? This episode unpacks the implications of Riley’s statement and its impact on the team’s dynamics. Dive into the thrilling analysis of Tyler Herro’s game-winning shot against the Orlando Magic, a moment that could define his All-Star candidacy.
How Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware Fueled Miami’s Win Over Nets, Plus Dru Smith’s Devastating Injury The Miami Heat snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night thanks to big contributions from Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Nikola Jovic. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to the win and ask what it means in the grand scheme of Miami’s crossroads of a season. Plus, they break down what Kel’el Ware adds to the lineup and what comes next after Dru Smith’s potentially season-ending injury.
