Rockets defeat Heat, 115-102

Posted: February 2, 2016 -- 10:45 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 115-102 win over the Miami Heat.

Due to Dwight Howard's one game suspension and Clint Capela's sitting out the game with left hip flexor soreness, interim-head coach J.B. Bickerstaff used a smallish starting line-up and started Josh Smith at center Tuesday night. Trevor Ariza and Corey Brewer joined Smith in the frontcourt while James Harden and Patrick Beverley started at the guard spots.

Smith scored 19 points in 22 minutes. Smith shot 3 of 5 from 3-point range tonight; and, he's 6 of 12 from three over the past three games -- after shooting 3 of 20 from three in his first four games since re-joining the Rockets.

"I'm feeling good. I am comfortable," Smith said after the game. "It's pretty much the same offense and the same players that we had last year. There's familarity there and just being able to be confident."

The Rockets (26-25) scored the first 7 points in the game; but, the Heat answered with a 15-0 run which resulted in a Rockets' timeout.

After the timeout, Smith scored in the post and Harden scored a lay-up in transition.

The Heat (27-22) led 21-13 with 4:15 remaining in the first period; however, Marcus Thornton sank a three-point shot to begin a 18-10 burst by the Rockets. Thornton finished the quarter with another three-point basket to the game at 31.

"The game plan coming was - protect the paint," Bickerstaff acknowledged. "In the first quarter, they had 22 points in the paint; so, we just sold out to protect the paint."

Miami's Gerald Green (from Houston's Gulfshores Academy) scored four points during an 8-3 Heat run; but, Ty Lawson and Patrick Beverley tied the game at 39 with 7:05 remaining in the first half. The rest of the quarter was nip-and-tuck as neither team lead by more than 5 points.

The Rockets led 53-48 before Miami tied the game at 55.

In the final seconds of the half, Harden knocked down a 17-foot step back jumper and a 26-foot three-point shot to send the Rockets into halftime with a 60-55 lead.

Smith scored the five points during an 8-0 run to start the third period. The Rockets' lead grew to 14 points (71-57) after Smith sank his 2nd three-point shot of the quarter.

However, Miami erupted for a 15-3 run to cut the Rockets' lead to 74-72 with 5:34 remaining in the quarter. Heat rookie Justise Winslow nailed a corner three-point shot for the 74-72 score.

Patrick Beverley and Thornton nailed consecutive three-point shots before Terrence Jones received a great bounce pass from Harden for a slam dunk.

Miami pulled within 4 (84-80); but, Harden swished a three-point shot to end the scoring in the third period.

Jones scored four points during a 6-0 Rockets' spurt to begin the fourth period. Miami's Chris Bosh scored 4 points to cut the Rockets' lead to 93-84; but, Smith scored seven points during a 12-5 burst to give the Rockets a 104-89 lead at the 5:34 mark of the fourth period.

The Rockets' lead grew to 17 points (110-93); and, Miami waved the white flag and brought in their reserves.

"Guys are making shots. Guys are getting into a rhythm and getting comfortable; and, it's easier for me," Harden said after the game.

James Harden scored 26 points and dished out a career-high tying 14 assists.

"He plays the game beautifully," Bickerstaff said. "His skillset, I think, is underappreciated by a lot of people."

Marcus Thornton came off the bench and scored 18 points in 22 minutes. Thornton made 7 of his 11 field goal attempts - including 4 for 7 three-point shots.

"We knew we had to help each other tonight to win this game," Thornton said. "We were trying to keep them out of the paint; and, we were small. So, we had to help each other; box out and rebound. And, because we were small, we used that to our advantage and ran and made easy buckets."

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