James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 61 points and 15 rebounds as the Houston Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 117-108 home win (box score) over Miami on Wednesday night.
Houston’s victory avenges an embarrassing 29-point loss to the same opponent earlier this month. The game wasn’t as close as the final score might make it appear, since the Heat outscored the Rockets by 40-26 in the fourth quarter after the result had effectively been decided.
Harden led the Rockets with 34 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes, headlined by a 7-of-17 showing (41.2%) from behind the three-point arc.
Meanwhile, Westbrook had 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%) in one of his most efficient nights with the Rockets to date, along with nine rebounds and seven assists in his 36 minutes.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook tonight:
61 points
15 rebounds
12 assists
3 steals
20-43 shootingThis is a solid win. The Rockets should feel good. Much needed to end the three-game skid.
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) November 28, 2019
The Heat (12-5) were without four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler due to an illness, while the Rockets (12-6) were missing starting center and rebounding sensation Clint Capela for the same reason.
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In Capela’s absence, second-year prospect Gary Clark was a revelation. After playing just nine minutes combined (largely late minutes in blowouts) over the season’s first 17 games, Clark tallied 12 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench Wednesday.
D'Antoni says Clark will have the opportunity to make the rotation:
"Gary has the possibility. He's got all kinds of talent. I'm hoping he grabs some [playing] time and keeps [it]." https://t.co/4pyM1FGFsL
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 28, 2019
Known for his defense and hustle, the 6-foot-6 forward — who can also play center in smaller lineups — played all 12 minutes of the second quarter. In that time, Houston built its lead from four points to 24 points.
Gary Clark was great at both ends! Played the entire 2nd quarter and was a +20 in those 12 minutes
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) November 28, 2019
Danuel House Jr. had key contributions with impressive defense and a career-high 23 points, including four three-pointers.
Rockets end their three game skid, with a 117-108 victory over Miami. Danuel House Jr. finishes with a career-high 23 points and gets to celebrate Thanksgiving at home in Houston for the first time in his professional career – CG
— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 28, 2019
With Capela out, the Heat were led by starting center Bam Adabayo, who posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 40 minutes.
The Rockets will take Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day off entirely before returning to practice Friday. Their next game comes Saturday at home versus Atlanta, in what will be the debut of their new City uniforms and the “Space City Saturdays” theme for the remainder of the season.
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