Heat ride late surge to overcome Harden, Rockets
MIAMI -- James Harden produced his 13th triple-double of the season, but it wasn't enough as the Miami Heat upset the Houston Rockets 109-103 on Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Harden, who had six turnovers, had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He made 12-of-30 shots from the floor, including 4-of-15 from 3-point range. He also made 12 of 13 free throws.
Heat point guard Goran Dragic had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Miami made a 20-3 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
The Heat, who broke a four-game losing streak, also held down a prolific Houston offense that ranks second in the NBA in points scored.
Miami (12-30) won despite some awful numbers. The Heat are just 2-10 in their past 12 games and own the second-worst record in the NBA. In addition, Miami is just 6-13 at home this season.
Perhaps the result should not be a total shock given the Rockets' recent record here. Houston (32-12) has lost seven of its past eight games at Miami.
Houston grabbed a 32-27 lead at the end of the first quarter by virtue of its 57.1-percent shooting. Miami shot 44.4 percent in the quarter.
The Rockets cooled off in the second, shooting 41.3 percent. Miami, which shot 45.8 percent, surged ahead, leading by as many as seven points.
But after seven first-half lead changes and a stretch in which the Rockets missed 16-of-19 shots, the teams went into their locker rooms tied 53-53. Harden led all first-half scorers with 15 points, but Miami had a 34-24 advantage in paint points.
The teams were also tied, 79-79, after three quarters before the Heat surprisingly took over in the fourth, sending Houston to its third loss in its past four games.
Houston shot just 40.4 percent from the floor for the game and scored 12 points below its average.
NOTES: Rockets PF Ryan Anderson (illness) missed the game. Houston moved SF Trevor Ariza to PF and Corey Brewer came off the bench to start at SF. ... Rockets C Clint Capela (foot), who had been out since Dec. 17, returned to the starting lineup. ... Miami is missing several players: SG Josh Richardson (foot); C Willie Reed (sternum); SF Justise Winslow (shoulder); PF Chris Bosh (blood clots) and PF Josh McRoberts (foot). ... Due to the amount of injuries, the NBA allowed Miami to sign a 16th player: 6-foot-8 F Okaro White, a former Florida State standout. White was cut by Miami in the preseason but was averaging 18.0 points and 8.9 rebounds in the NBA Development League. ...This was Miami's first home game since Jan. 1. It was also the start of a four-game homestand that continues Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. ... Houston returns home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.