The contrast is sharp.
When Miami Heat plays host Houston Rockets on Friday night, there will be a battle between two teams that have been on their way in different directions in recent weeks.
Houston (45-25) is on a season best eight-game victory.
Miami (29-40) is on a nine-game losing line that is heated for the longest time since they lost 12 in a row during the 2007-08 season.
The heat is bound for second place in a questionable NBA statistical category with 17 losses after blown in the fourth quarter.
Miami’s latest loss came on Wednesday when Detroits Cade Cunningham knocked in a Tie-Breaking 3 point with 0.6 seconds left, giving Pistons a victory 116-113.
“There is no way to explain any of this,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
“The knocked shot at the end … we just have to find more determination.”
Spoelstra said “there may be a beauty” in dealing with adversity. He also said that he has been happy with the leadership that his two top players showed, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
“This group gathers around each other, and that’s what I totally expect on Friday,” Spoelstra said. “BAM and Tyler have taken it from an urgent, edge and leadership point of view.
“I heard their voices from the first second of Shootaround (on Wednesday), and it went on the whole game (against Detroit).
“Bam plays so damn hard on both sides. He’s our emotional leader.”
At the same time, Rockets comes from a road victory on 116-108 over Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Rockets entered the day ranked last in the NBA in free throw percentage (74.0). Nevertheless, they made 29 out of 32 free throwing for 90.6 percent against Orlando.
“We play better and more consistent across the line,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after the victory.
After missing the playoffs during each of the last four seasons, Rockets is a virtual lock to return this year.
Houston has a combination of young, new stars such as Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard; And tough veterans like Fred Vanvleet and Dillon Brooks.
Thompson and Sheppard-Houston’s first election in the last two years-are found on the injured list. Sheppard is out because of a crackled right thumb. Thompson (Ankel) comes back already on Friday but probably a little later.
Green, a talented goal scorer like a 6-foot-4 shooter, leads Houston with 21.4 points per match.
Sengun, a 6-11 center, is second in points (19.2) and first in returns (10.5). Sengun, although it is not a defensive anchor or a 3-point shooter, is a talented passing for its position and is ranked number two on the team in Assists (4.9).
Vanvleet leads Houston in assists at 5.6 per match. An All-Star and a 20-point score 2021-22, Vanvleet-now 31-in average 14.2 points.
Brooks, 29, an average of 14.0 points. A 6-6 forward he made the NBA’s all-defensive second team 2023.
-Field level media
