Rockets run win streak to 9 with victory over skidding Heat
BASKETBALL-NBA-MIA-HOU/RECAP
Fred VanVleet scored 13 of his game-high 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets won their ninth straight game, defeating the host Miami Heat 102-98 on Friday night.
After scoring just three points in the first quarter, VanVleet scored nine in the second and 12 in the third to get going.
He made 13-of-17 shots from the floor, including 9-of-11 on 3-pointers. He added 2-of-4 on free throws, and he had three assists.
Houston has the longest active win streak in the NBA.
Miami , which has lost 10 straight games, was led by Andrew Wiggins, who scored 20 of his team-high 30 points in the second quarter. It was the best-scoring quarter of his 11-year NBA career.
However, Wiggins scored just two points in the fourth quarter.
Heat rookie 7-footer Kel'el Ware had a double-double with 16 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and two blocks.
But Miami didn't get its usual production from Tyler Herro, who entered the game averaging 23.6 points, or from Bam Adebayo . Herro had just eight points. Adebayo had 16 points, including a banked-in 3-pointer in the final second when the result was no longer in doubt.
The Rockets, who rank No. 1 in the NBA in rebound margin, offensive boards and second-chance points, kept to their identity on Friday. Houston outrebounded Miami 46-34, and the Rockets had a 15-5 advantage on the offensive glass.
Miami, thanks to 66.7 percent shooting, won the first quarter, 27-23. Houston shot just 43.5 percent.
The Heat, while outshooting Houston 62.5 percent to 47.6 percent in the second quarter, stretched their lead to 59-51 at halftime. Houston stayed in the game with an 11-2 first-half edge on second-chance points.
Wiggins, in the second quarter, shot 6-for-6, including 2-for-2 from deep. He also made 6-of-7 free throws.
The first half featured 11 lead changes and seven tie scores.
Houston won the third quarter, cutting its deficit to 80-78. VanVleet made 4-of-5 shots in the period, including 3-of-3 from deep.
VanVleet kept going in the fourth quarter, and the Heat lost yet again.
Field Level Media
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