Kendrick Nunn outduels Kevin Porter Jr. as Rockets fade late in Miami

Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. each scored 18, but it wasn’t nearly enough versus Kendrick Nunn (30 points, 8 assists) and the Heat.

After holding a small lead at halftime, the Rockets faded in the second half in Monday’s 113-91 loss (box score) at Miami. Coming off Sunday’s win at Orlando, it was Houston’s second game of a road back-to-back.

Christian Wood (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Kevin Porter Jr. (18 points) led the weary Rockets in scoring, while veteran guard John Wall returned but shot just 4-of-14 from the field (28.6%). Wall sat out Sunday’s game for planned maintenance during the split back-to-back.

Second-year guard Kendrick Nunn led the Heat (30-27) with 30 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, including 6-of-12 (50%) on 3-pointers. Veteran swingman Andre Iguodala (16 points, 7 assists) hit 4-of-7 shots (57.1%) from 3-point range, and Miami was +38 in his 28 minutes.

As usual, the Rockets were short-handed with six players out, and they were also reeling from the shocking news of Sterling Brown being assaulted. While Brown is expected to fully recover from his facial lacerations, he was with the team in Miami when the attack occurred.

See below for a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction. Houston (15-43) returns to action at home on Wednesday night for a game against the Utah Jazz, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpeV3hyH_PA