Rockets run win streak to 9 with victory over skidding Heat
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Fred VanVleet scored 13 of his game-high 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets won their ninth straight game, defeating the host Miami Heat 102-98 on Friday night.
After scoring just three points in the first quarter, VanVleet scored nine in the second and 12 in the third to get going.
He made 13-of-17 shots from the floor, including 9-of-11 on 3-pointers. He added 2-of-4 on free throws, and he had three assists.
Houston has the longest active win streak in the NBA.
Miami , which has lost 10 straight games, was led by Andrew Wiggins, who scored 20 of his team-high 30 points in the second quarter. It was the best-scoring quarter of his 11-year NBA career.
However, Wiggins scored just two points in the fourth quarter.
Heat rookie 7-footer Kel'el Ware had a double-double with 16 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and two blocks.
But Miami didn't get its usual production from Tyler Herro, who entered the game averaging 23.6 points, or from Bam Adebayo . Herro had just eight points. Adebayo had 16 points, including a banked-in 3-pointer in the final second when the result was no longer in doubt.
The Rockets, who rank No. 1 in the NBA in rebound margin, offensive boards and second-chance points, kept to their identity on Friday. Houston outrebounded Miami 46-34, and the Rockets had a 15-5 advantage on the offensive glass.
Miami, thanks to 66.7 percent shooting, won the first quarter, 27-23. Houston shot just 43.5 percent.