Jimmy Butler contributed 22 points, while Bam Adebayo added 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to a 119-104 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
The Heat, currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, secured their fourth victory in five games and extended their winning streak against the Rockets to eight games.
Reflecting on the win, Butler emphasized the team’s control over their destiny and the importance of starting their road trip with a victory.
Houston made a push in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to three points, but the Heat responded with a 20-5 run, fueled by key 3-pointers from Caleb Martin, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., to seal the victory. During this stretch, Jalen Green and Rockets coach Ime Udoka received technical fouls for disputing calls.
Herro made a significant impact in his return from injury, contributing 17 points, six assists, and five rebounds off the bench, despite being on a minutes restriction.
Coach Erik Spoelstra expressed his satisfaction with Herro’s performance and acknowledged the need to manage his minutes carefully to avoid overexertion.
On the Rockets’ side, Jalen Green led the team with 21 points, while Dillon Brooks added 18 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Heat’s dominance.
Miami maintained control throughout the game, leading by five points at halftime and extending their lead further in the third quarter before securing the win.
