Houston Rockets Game 51 of 2015-16 Season – vs Miami Heat

Houston Rockets Game 51 of 2015-16 featured the Miami Heat and victory by the home town team.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 51 of 2015-16 versus the Miami Heat.

Feb 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a basket during the game against the Miami Heat at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 51 – Miami Heat

In the Rockets second meeting versus the Miami Heat the home town team won to split the season series.

Pregame Analysis:

The game day preview focused on the fact the Rockets were once again on a losing streak.

After dropping four in a row mid-way through the month of January, the Miami Heat have reeled back to win four straight behind outstanding performances by a revitalized  veteran in Dwyane Wade. The Heat will look to make it five straight Tuesday night as they visit the Toyota Center to square off against a Houston team that are failing to find answers defensively being – losers of their last three.

Post Game Analysis:

Andre Cantalogo offered the post game analysis and player grades.

A melancholic half empty Toyota Center hosted a match between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat.

Hurt by a three game losing streak and two consecutive ejections as well as a suspension to center Dwight Howard, the Rockets entered court desperate for a win. J.B. Bickerstaff who also was fined by the NBA for his comments after Saturday’s loss to the Wizards had his work cut out for him, as he was left without any Centers on his squad.

With Howard suspended, Clint Capela sidelined with an injury and Donatas Motiejunas assigned to the D-league, Josh Smith was tasked with starting in the Center position. Gladly, the Heat were also without Hassan Whiteside.

Stat Leaders:

NBA.com box score

Rockets Games vs Heat in 2016-17

• January 17th in Miami at American Airlines
• February 15th at home

Free Agents

Obviously the big news for the Miami Heat was the loss of Dwyane Wade who seemingly left over pride. After repeated contract negotiations over his pro career Wade had never been the highest paid player on the Heat. Finally Wade chose to test the waters and ultimately signed with his home town Bulls.

Incoming Free Agents:

• D-League Player Rodney McGruder on a 3-year deal.
• Derrick Williams to a reported 1-year, $5M deal exits Knicks
• Wayne Ellington to 2-years, $12M exits Nets
• James Johnson to 1-year, $4M deal exits Raptors
• Willie Reed to 2-year deal exits Nets
• Dion Waiters agreeing to a 2-year $6M deal exiting Thunder
• Stefan Jankovic with partial guarantee training camp contract

Exiting Free Agents: 

• Dwyane Wade deal is reportedly for 2-years, $47.5M as he heads home to Chicago
• Luol Deng 4-year $72M with Lakers
• Joe Johnson 2-year, $22M with Jazz
• Gerald Green  1-year, $1.5M deal with Celtics

Re-upping:

• Hassan Whiteside 4-year, $98M
• Tyler Johnson  Heat matched $50M offer sheet Nets offered
• While the Heat  missed the boat with Dwyane Wade they decided to step up to the plate with  Udonis Haslem on a reported 1-year, $4M deal

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus.  Specifically, the first area  is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will  make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application.