MIAMI – Fred VanVleet delivered an impressive performance with 37 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Miami Heat, securing their ninth consecutive victory with a 102-98 triumph on Friday night. VanVleet was on fire, hitting 13 of 17 shots, including a season-best 9 out of 11 from beyond the arc, to help the Rockets maintain the longest active winning streak in the league. This victory also ended a nine-game losing slide against Miami, while the Heat suffered their 10th consecutive loss, marking their longest streak since a similar skid during the 2007-08 season.
Amen Thompson made a significant return for the Rockets after missing six games with a sprained left ankle. Thompson contributed 18 points and seven steals. Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith also chipped in, scoring 11 points each. The Rockets clawed back from an 11-point deficit early in the third quarter, with Jalen Green sinking a jumper to close the period at 80-78.
For the Heat, Andrew Wiggins recorded 30 points, marking his highest scoring game since being traded from Golden State for Jimmy Butler earlier this year. Kel’el Ware added a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo also contributed 16 points to the team’s efforts. Despite taking a substantial lead, the Heat faltered once again this season, relinquishing their 20th double-digit lead resulting in a loss. Wiggins’ jump shot two minutes into the third quarter had put Miami up 65-54 before Houston surged back.
In a pivotal moment at the start of the fourth quarter, VanVleet embarked on a personal 9-2 run that ultimately secured the victory for the Rockets, hitting two 3-pointers, a lay-up, and a free throw to provide an enduring 87-84 lead. A crucial statistic of the night was Houston’s dominance on the boards, as they outrebounded Miami 46-34, marking their eighth consecutive game winning the rebounding battle against their opponents.
Looking ahead, the Rockets are set to host Denver on Sunday, while the Miami Heat will face off against Charlotte.