Rockets Host Heat in New Year’s Eve Special
Closing with a Bang. Feeling the Heat. An Energizing Boost.
Houston hosts Miami on New Year’s Eve in the final game of the calendar year for both squads. The teams are headed in opposite directions. The Rockets have lost five straight games, while the Heat are winners of four in a row, and have won eight of their last ten games overall. Miami recently got their best player, Jimmy Butler, back from a tailbone injury that sidelined the All-Star forward for nearly a month. Houston also recently got two of their best players, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, back from lengthy injuries. The Rockets fought hard but fell in their last game to a motivated LeBron and a Lakers team desperate to snap their five-game losing skid in Houston. In a vintage LeBron performance, James dominated in the clutch, keeping the Rockets at bay from victory.
Regardless, KPJ and Green both looked great in their returns. Against L.A. the duo combined for 46 points on a combined 9-for-18 from deep. Houston’s starting backcourt will aim to keep the good times rolling against a Miami team who’s starting to find their rhythm. The Heat are still without All-Star center Bam Adebayo, but Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are having career seasons, and Duncan Robinson just has the “look” of a Rocket-Killer. In Miami’s previous game, a win over Washington, Butler recorded 25 points, 15 assists, and 8 rebounds. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro exploded for 32 points, and Duncan Robinson scored 26 points for the Heat. Butler, Herro, and Robinson are the main guys Houston’s defense has to maintain tonight if the Rockets want to ring in the New Year with a victory.
Houston gets a pleasant surprise just in time for the New Year. Jae’Sean Tate is back in action after clearing the league’s health-and-safety protocols. The Rockets’ energizer bunny has missed the last two games. However, in an interesting move, he’ll come off the bench for the first time all season. We’ll see how it impacts his play, but hopefully this is a temporary move, as Tate’s working his way back into NBA-game shape after being out a few days. It’s the last day of the year, and as Houston prepares to ring in a 2022 that can’t be any worse than 2021, bright expectations are on the rise… it would be nice to heat those up with a win to ring in the New Year.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Miami Heat (22-13): White
Houston Rockets (10-25): Navy “City Edition”
Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass