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00:01The 2K Sports Pregame Show.
00:08Hello, basketball fans. I'm Ernie Johnson, welcoming you to 2K Sports.
00:13I'm here with Kenny the Jet Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.
00:17And the pregame warm-ups are wrapping up out in Houston,
00:20where it'll be the Rockets going up against the Miami Heat.
00:23For Miami, the talk has been that they don't want to play with caution tonight.
00:27They want to let it all hang out.
00:30They seem to be a pretty revved-up group coming into this game.
00:33We'll see if that translates into success on the court.
00:38We all know just how incredible Chris Paul is.
00:41Guy gives you everything you want from a floor general.
00:44Even at his age, guys, is there any team in the NBA that wouldn't be better
00:49if you swapped him into the point guard spot?
00:53Well, does he make every team better?
00:55He makes almost every team better.
00:57Almost every team.
00:58I couldn't say every team, but I would say Golden State.
01:03I mean, they're not going to be better.
01:05And maybe even Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook.
01:08Yeah.
01:09I don't know if they'd be better, but he makes most teams better.
01:13Yeah, and, you know, he just does so much that it's kind of hard to see a team
01:16getting worse with him as their point guard.
01:18He's a great player.
01:19I wish him well.
01:21That does it for us for now.
01:23So, we'll see you later.
01:24An aerial view of the many buildings making up the skyline of beautiful Houston, Texas,
01:39our broadcast setting tonight.
01:41Hello and welcome, everyone, to another exciting edition of the NBA on 2K Sports.
01:48Hi, everyone.
01:49This is Kevin Harland with Chris Weber and Greg Anthony, our sideline reporter, David Aldridge.
01:55We're live in Houston where the Rockets have home court advantage.
01:58And with tip-off coming up, we've got just enough time to hear from our good friend David Aldridge on the sideline.
02:05D.A., take it away.
02:07Well, guys, James Harden is a great offensive player, but there's no mistaking it.
02:12He does dominate the ball.
02:14Now, that can bother teammates sometimes, but Coach Mike D'Antoni says when they feel that paycheck every two weeks,
02:21that should make them play hard.
02:22You have to be a star in your role.
02:24So, when James gets the ball to you, shoot it, and then run back and play hard as heck.
02:30Kevin?
02:31Thanks.
02:32He's a great passer, David.
02:33There's no doubt he can set the table.
02:36And both these teams can go deep into their benches.
02:38Chris, what's it like to play on a stacked team?
02:42A team that has a huge number of players that can start in a lot of teams in the league,
02:48but may have to come off the bench.
02:49It just relieves a lot of the pressure.
02:51As starters, you want to try to get a lead or play well,
02:54and we hope the bench comes in and just holds off the next team or comes in with a nice pace.
02:59But when you're playing with a great team, you can actually hope that bench comes in and do better than you.
03:04You can actually hope that bench comes in and kind of raises the pace on that other team.
03:08But most importantly, what those benches do, and I know for me in Sacramento,
03:12they really keep the integrity of the team in practice every day because they're out there beating the A team.
03:17So when they put on those special jerseys that everyone hates or has to flip their jersey inside out
03:22and go up against the starters, they're playing with that confidence that they play with every game.
03:26And so you have to be prepared in practice.
03:28And so it makes every day you get better, not just on the game day.
03:32So for me, being on those teams with great benches helps you more in practice every day,
03:36which sets a culture of winning more so than just in the games.
03:38That's an excellent insight.
03:41So here's Miami's starting group.
03:43Tragic and Waiters, they're the backcourts.
03:45Whiteside is out there with James Johnson.
03:47And it's Winslow in at the three.
04:08That's good from Johnson.
04:17Well, you knew that the Rockets were going to be an offensive juggernaut with their roster
04:20and Mike D'Antoni at the helm.
04:22But seeing it in action is still jaw-dropping at times.
04:26I mean, you're amazed.
04:27They can put up a lot of points in a hurry.
04:29Yeah, and the team plays at an incredibly high pace,
04:31which accounts for some of their big moments.
04:33But they do a good job of finding smart shots and making the most of their possessions.
04:37Because this team can truly be scary when they're clicking.
04:40And Johnson drops them both.
04:42And Greg, you hear about the competitive culture that this Miami Heat franchise has.
04:47Yeah, that doesn't always work for some teams, but it works for the Heat.
04:52This group will push each other all the time to be the best they can be.
04:56The practices have a feel of game-level intensity.
05:00Now here's Waiters.
05:02James Harden missing on the three.
05:04And Waiters gets the druggish.
05:05Johnson with a screen on Paul.
05:11Here's Waiters.
05:13He's now one for two with that bucket.
05:15Ooh, look at the soft touch on the teardrop.
05:18And so here is Houston.
05:20Four-point game.
05:25Waiters against Harden.
05:27Paul outside.
05:28From past the arc.
05:29Sinks the triple.
05:30I really like how Capella plays within the offense.
05:33So great at using his huge body to set screen.
05:38Waiters dishes to Johnson.
05:43Pass to druggish.
05:44And Waiters kicks to Winslow.
05:49Six to shoot.
05:55Rebounded by Capella.
05:57Well executed.
05:58Great rhythm.
06:00He has got to finish that one.
06:01Yeah, coming off a good pick.
06:03You want to get that one.
06:04He gets the separation he needs.
06:06I know he would love to have that one back.
06:07Now flying high and throwing it down with the one-hander.
06:13One of his favorite moves right there, guys.
06:16Now here's Whiteside.
06:20Winslow setting the pick for druggish.
06:25Johnson kicks to druggish.
06:26Oh, good with the triple.
06:30Well, they're sputtering a little on offense to start this game.
06:32One for four so far.
06:35Here's Harden.
06:36And it's Harden.
06:37Swing it down.
06:39I mean, come on, man.
06:40Harden is ridiculously clever.
06:42Including how he decides to posterize you.
06:45A superb battle.
06:46That was a terrific replay.
06:48Brought to you by Under Armour.
06:50Another Unleash Chaos moment.
06:53Now here's Winslow.
06:55Johnson the screen.
06:56Drogic with a wide open look.
06:59Buries the long-range jumper.
07:01And that's what you give up when you don't fight over the screen.
07:04A lot of times your defense is your offense.
07:07Your offense is your defense.
07:08This is poor decision making right here.
07:11You can't let him have that shot.
07:13Also might have been a lack of effort.
07:14Stolen away.
07:15Nice job to interrupt the alley-oop attempt there.
07:19Here's Winslow.
07:21Softly drops in the floater.
07:24Winslow's got his first points of the game.
07:26The Rockets trade.
07:28Now with Whiteside, no matter what he is doing, he is always setting the tone.
07:32The way he goes about defending the rim.
07:34It's like he's taking it personally that these guys are not going to score on.
07:38And you know what?
07:39He's a tone setter defensively.
07:41He gives his group confidence when he's on the floor.
07:44And you know, teams are starting to realize you simply do not go at Whiteside.
07:50The block numbers might be down, but his defensive impact is as high as ever.
07:55Here's Drogic following the basket by Chris Paul.
07:58Shot clock at three.
07:59Shots and can't hit.
08:03Houston's gone one or two from long range in the first quarter.
08:06Here's the floater.
08:09And it's laid in by Paul.
08:11Paul's got seven.
08:12Nice way to start the evening.
08:15His numbers getting called, and for good reason.
08:18Well, yeah.
08:18He's a guy who can carry you for stretches, long stretches in this game.
08:22You want to get him involved early in.
08:24Now, here's Waiters.
08:26Down low.
08:28Here's Whiteside.
08:29Nice spin off the left rim and in.
08:32That's a nice look.
08:33Recognizing he had the opening to make the entry pass.
08:36Rockets have gone 5-6 so far from the field to start out the game.
08:43Capella with a spring on Vrogic.
08:46Picks it out to Ariza.
08:49No good on the triple.
08:51All the time in the world to get that one off.
08:54Oh, my goodness.
08:57Drogic against Paul.
08:59Paul with the steal.
09:02To the inside.
09:03Harden.
09:04And it's blocked by Whiteside.
09:08Waiters with the ball.
09:10Chris Paul covering.
09:12And Waiters, here we go.
09:14Kicks it to Drogic.
09:17Winslow setting the pick for Drogic.
09:20And oh boy, a lot of contact there.
09:22But he gets the call and will shoot two.
09:25That's on Clint Capella.
09:27And you know, normally when you look at a guy like Whiteside with the field goal percentage and all,
09:32you think it's all about dunks.
09:34But I tell you what, he's improved his entire repertoire of scoring options near the rim.
09:39And now he's even showing that he can step out and knock down that little face-up 15-footer.
09:44And the first one at the line is good.
10:02Whiteside, earlier in his career, didn't have as many options to score.
10:06But Greg, he's been very conscious of keeping that improvement of his game.
10:10And especially on the offensive end.
10:13And Whiteside has been self-motivated since he's come back to the NBA.
10:18He's got the great length.
10:20He gets the hooks.
10:21He's got that baby hook up over the defenders.
10:24The soft shooting touch.
10:26And he just continues to improve offensively.
10:29All the while still being a force on the defensive side of the floor.
10:33Now, here's Tucker.
10:36Feeds it to Nene.
10:38Here is Mbaamute.
10:40Buries the long-range jumper.
10:43And Mbaamute has got himself going there.
10:45His first points of the game in the deep ball.
10:47We'll see if they want to trade two for one here.
10:49Got to time up that clock to do so.
10:53Light a screen.
10:56Here's Richardson.
10:57And it's good.
10:58He planted his feet on the pick and shielded the defender off.
11:01Man, this thing is just going back and forth tonight.
11:06Each team is stepping up, rising to the challenge.
11:09Yet another one.
11:10Shots good from Mbaamute.
11:13Just finding the open man.
11:15Few who have ever played this game have Paul's vision.
11:19Here's Johnson.
11:21And the rebound goes to the Rockets.
11:23Now, here's Gordon.
11:36Screened by Mbaamute.
11:38No good trying to beat the buzzer.
11:41A nice first quarter of play.
11:42We've seen plenty of offense so far.
11:44Houston on top.
11:45They lead by two.
11:47We'll be back shortly live from Houston, Texas.
11:49And forward James Johnson battled his way back into the league after some stints abroad.
12:04He talked about his approach to the game.
12:08I play the game how it's supposed to be played.
12:10I play offense.
12:11I play defense.
12:12I rebound.
12:13Steals, blocks.
12:14You know, I'm pretty much that guy who likes to work hard and don't want anybody to beat him out.
12:19You know, except the challenge.
12:21That's exactly the kind of hard-nosed, old-school attitude that coaches just love.
12:26Kevin, and so do his teammates.
12:29I mean, a guy like that brings out the best in everybody on that team.
12:34They just kind of feed off of his effort and desire.
12:40Welcome back, folks.
12:41We have a close game here at the start of the second quarter of play.
12:44And looking at what we've seen from Houston, what do you guys think?
12:48Through that first one, they've turned this thing into a track beat.
12:51I'll tell you what.
12:52If we allow them to speed up the tempo, there's a good chance you're going to fall behind.
12:56All fueled up and ready to go.
12:58Let's reset the lineups, courtesy of Gatorade, as the second quarter gets going.
13:02And for Miami, look at who they've got out there.
13:05We've got Kelly Olenek.
13:07Tyler Johnson is out there with Josh Richardson.
13:09Then it's White, and it's Adebayo in at the five spot.
13:13The Rockets shooting their initial free throws of the game right here.
13:16A.J. Tucker at the one for two.
13:19Two shots.
13:33Two shots.
13:33That's good from Tucker.
13:46And, Chris, when you played, you were known as a guy your size who could rip and run, take it coast to coast.
13:52You look around the league now.
13:54Who are some of the best big men ballhandlers?
13:56Oh, you love it.
13:57If you get that board, you've got to be able to take it, speed up the offense.
14:00We've seen Draymond just have a field day doing it with all the players on his team that can knock it down and score.
14:06Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis.
14:09We've even seen Paul Millsap and Julius Randle do it a little bit.
14:12So, I love the fact that if you can get that board and push it, it makes it easier because you don't have to look for the outlet.
14:18You can actually find that point guard, that two-guard, and transition and let them score, and you be the facilitator.
14:24Nice again.
14:25The shot by Adebayo, no good.
14:28Good interior D there.
14:30Prevents the deuce.
14:32Oh, wonderful anticipation.
14:33He reads the play perfectly.
14:34Then with the quick reaction time.
14:36And we've got an update here, so let's check in with David Aldridge, according to the sideline.
14:41Well, guys, Miami's Eric Spolstra is known for his focus and his devotion to work.
14:46How does he stay centered?
14:48Yoga.
14:49He said, I like it because you have to keep your eyes on your own mat.
14:53If you're not focused on the spot in front of you, you'll fall over.
14:57Kevin, that mindfulness translates across the board.
15:01Mindfulness.
15:01That's an interesting way to look at things, D.A.
15:03Spoh is a great, great communicator.
15:05Tucker knows how to certainly get through to his team.
15:08And the basket by Olenek.
15:10Oh, just a nice, quick release.
15:12Olenek gets it off in a hurry.
15:17Johnson against Paul.
15:19He kicks it to Gordon.
15:21Passes it to Tucker.
15:23The name, the screen.
15:26Tucker dishes to Paul.
15:29Five to shoot.
15:31Houston needs to get a shot.
15:32Tucker can't get it to go.
15:36A defender nowhere near him.
15:38He still can't hit it.
15:39He won't stop him back.
15:44And it's Johnson penetrating.
15:46The dunk and the foul.
15:47A powerhouse move.
15:49And he's got a chance for one more at the line.
15:52It's on Mbamute.
15:53And, guys, right now, the defense mentally not there.
15:57Can't afford too many of those in a close game like this.
16:00Yeah, J.A., you're right.
16:01Almost a free run for him there.
16:02Well, yeah, and you have to give him credit, too.
16:04Makes the right read go straight to the rim.
16:07James Harden.
16:08He's checked in for the Rockets.
16:09Rodney McGruder's checked in for the Heat.
16:11Ellingson comes in for Richardson.
16:13Now the free throw is good.
16:20Now leading by one.
16:22And, you know, doesn't matter where you line him up.
16:25Tyler Johnson has become a playmaker.
16:27You know, had to work his way into the NBA.
16:30But he has quickly established himself.
16:33Great threat off the bench who brings instant scoring
16:36and can be a catalyst for your offense.
16:39Now here's Johnson after Eric Gordon's miss.
16:42The shot's good from Ellingson.
16:44That's too much space to give him out there on the perimeter.
16:46They've got to close out on him.
16:48They've been struggling here on offense.
16:50Yeah, a bit of a dry spell for sure.
16:54Gordon is screened.
16:56Nene kicks to Mbamute.
16:59That one's off.
17:00Still out of sync.
17:02And great with Johnson.
17:03It's that burst he plays with on the floor
17:05that makes him such an energizer.
17:07Yeah, and for a player who isn't the biggest guard,
17:10you know, he attacks with reckless abandon.
17:13Great speed of play in the half court
17:16as well as transition.
17:17And he's really slippery
17:19and can step in if you overcommit.
17:22Now here's Tucker.
17:24Here's Harden on the win.
17:29There's the three.
17:32Offensive rebound.
17:33Headshot off the mark.
17:35Miami leading by four.
17:43Magruder passes to Olenek.
17:48Floats one up.
17:49And it's good on the way in.
17:51Olenek's got four points in the quarter.
17:54A beautiful shot there by Olenek.
17:55Just showing that in-between game.
18:00Harden dishes to Gordon.
18:02Screened by Mbamute.
18:03Gordon kicks it to Tucker.
18:07A three-pointers right on target.
18:09Tucker's got five now.
18:11No doubt that was a defensive mistake.
18:13You gotta have a guy on him at all times.
18:17The pass to Magruder.
18:23Kicks it out to Johnson.
18:24And there's the feed to Olenek.
18:30Heat moving the ball around.
18:32From beyond the arc.
18:34And it's Magruder missing.
18:36It gets drilled by three.
18:41Harden outside.
18:44Outside Gordon.
18:45This one for three.
18:47Was shot off that time.
18:48And it's Miami the other way.
18:51And probably the one constant of this Miami team the last few years has been their defense.
18:57They do a great job of making life difficult for opposing shooters.
19:01And it's been anchored by one of the best shot blockers in the game with Whiteside.
19:05And it's the heat with the ball after Eric Gordon's three-pointer that didn't go.
19:10He hangs in there and cashes in on the second-chance points.
19:14And defensively, they are on their heels every time the ball comes inside.
19:20Harden the pass to Tucker.
19:24Gordon a screen.
19:25A shot by Harden.
19:26Wide open.
19:28No good with the triple.
19:28And the Miami defense is more than just Whiteside blocking shots, as you might say.
19:35Greg, they do a great job of limiting opponents' threes.
19:37Yeah, they challenge the three-ball as well as anybody.
19:41Both contest the shot and close out to deny the attempt from even being taken.
19:47This roster does a great job of taking away space from shooting.
19:51Controls the rebound and puts it back up and in.
19:55And the Heat lead by seven.
19:56And now you see them starting to really work the ball inside.
20:04Gordon with it.
20:06Wyatt so far offensively, searching for his first points of the game.
20:10Shots good from Mba Amute.
20:12Heartful use of the screen there.
20:14Gaze the separation he needs for a good look.
20:16The three from Johnson.
20:18The shot misses.
20:20And so it's a close game as we wrap up the first half of basketball.
20:24Miami ahead.
20:25They finish off the second quarter on a 14-5 run.
20:30And now we'll send it over to David Aldridge, who is standing by courtside.
20:33David.
20:37Thanks, Kevin.
20:37Coach, what's gotten the offense working?
20:41Well, finally we were able to get some stops.
20:43We were able to get a couple easy ones in the open court.
20:45And a little bit more patience to try to get something at the rim.
20:49We'll see if you can keep breaking them down in the second half.
20:51Thanks.
20:52Back to you, Kevin.
20:53All right, David.
20:54We'll be back after halftime for the start of the third quarter.
20:57And now, the 2K Sports Halftime Show.
21:02First half in the books.
21:04This is Ernie Johnson.
21:05This is Shaquille O'Neal.
21:07This is Ken Smith.
21:08Welcome back.
21:09Ken?
21:09Ken.
21:10As we break down the action.
21:13It was a closely contested first quarter for Miami.
21:17Some good moments from both teams, but as the first period wrapped up, they trailed by two.
21:22The second quarter largely belonged to them as they took charge of the game and jumped out to a five-point lead at the break.
21:29Kenny, let's start with you.
21:30What do you think about the heat?
21:32Well, they're putting bodies on people.
21:34If you just look at the rebounding numbers, you can tell that they've been putting their body on and being more physical than the other team.
21:41Now, that fact looms large on both sides, and that's going to be the difference in the second half.
21:45Shaq, how did you think the Rockets were playing?
21:48Well, this is a close game.
21:49Every point matters.
21:50Right now, they're not getting to the line much.
21:53To win this kind of matchup, you've got to be the aggressor.
21:56You've got to be—you've just got to be aggressive.
21:58Let's just see if they can ramble up their intensity, Ernie.
22:04And now, folks, just moments away from the start of the third quarter.
22:20Welcome back to the Toyota Center, everyone.
22:22That's a look at our broadcast location tonight here in downtown Houston, Texas.
22:28Welcome back, everybody.
22:30The start of the second half getting underway.
22:32Both teams battling hard through the first half.
22:42Rockets trail by five.
22:43Ball and Harden, the star-studded backcourt.
22:46Anderson is down low with Capella.
22:48And it's a reason, and it's a small pool.
22:51So that's who's on the floor for the Rockets.
22:53And really, Harden is even dangerous when he's looking to score.
22:56Even when the defense gets physical with him, he takes the contact.
22:59He powers through it.
23:04Well, James Harden has always acted as the initiating guard in any offense he's been in.
23:09But last year, he just took it to a new level.
23:11Coach D'Antoni, Harden was running the offense.
23:14He ended up with double-digit assist numbers for the season.
23:22One shot behind the legs.
23:35And those assist numbers for Harden, a career high by a mile.
23:39Crazy to think a player who came in from Arizona State was viewed as a spot shooter,
23:45is now a double-digit assist guy.
23:47You know, people always debate whether or not Harden is a point guard or a shooting guard.
23:51But honestly, who cares?
23:52He just has game.
23:54His role in the offense is that of getting buckets or setting up teammates.
23:58I mean, to assign a label to him, for what?
24:01He has game.
24:02Oh, an aggressive move and fantastic finish.
24:06Trying to send a message with that slam, I think.
24:08Ariza has the open look.
24:11Hands it from downtown.
24:13Ariza's got himself on the board with three there.
24:16Timely passing leads to assist.
24:18And that's been the recipe for success.
24:22Right side, a screen on Harden.
24:24Here's Waiters.
24:26So the whistle blows on the shot.
24:28And two free throws for the contact right there.
24:32Well, the Rockets have a pretty simple game plan.
24:34Put up a ton of threes and get as many deep threats on the floor as you can.
24:39And often we can exaggerate about how much a team hoists up the threes, but it isn't an exaggeration with the Rockets.
24:45They do it at a record pace.
24:47Oh, yeah.
24:47At times last season, almost half of their shots were from three.
24:52By far the most three-point attempts in the league.
24:54I mean, you look at their offensive numbers and clearly it was the right approach for them.
24:58And he knocks down the first one.
25:09He hits one, then misses the second attempt from the free throw line.
25:33Well, we always hear about how some guys are locker room leaders or a veteran presence on a team.
25:38Chris, how quickly does someone establish themselves as a team leader that's universally embraced by the rest of the team?
25:45It's tough.
25:46You know, some guys can come in and do it day one, but I think that we've seen a lot of leaders grow.
25:51Whether it was a great leader like a two-time MVP in Nash, it took some years first for him to understand himself and then kind of let his leadership just follow that on the court.
26:02We bring that to today with a guy like a John Wall.
26:05It's taken him about four or five years to really learn to be around veterans, but guys are coming in younger now.
26:11And so I think that it's going to take a little bit of time to develop, but as long as they're continuing to learn, as long as they're continuing to put the effort out, because you're a leader first by what you do, not by what you say.
26:24And so if you are trying to figure your way out and work hard, and you're being a leader, people are figuring it out, it's usually when does the vocal part come in, along with kind of leading by an example.
26:34And so I think for every person it's different, but it's a lot of fun watching because when they get to that point, you've definitely seen some development and growth from them mentally and physically when you know they've taken over the reins like a guy like John Wall has.
26:47Good insight.
26:54That free throw good from Harden.
27:09Last season, Harden just put up some incredible numbers all across the board.
27:13His assists were league leading, which nobody saw coming.
27:16He didn't have a big drop in his own scoring, even as he was creating so much more for others.
27:24Harden, Harden, Harden, Harden, Harden, Harden, and both free throws good for James Harden.
27:33And with Harden, as you said, Chris, nobody saw his assist totals coming except maybe his coach Mike D'Antoni, one of the Coach of the Year candidates, certainly all season long with what he did in that 55-win rocket season.
27:45When Harden heard what his coach expected, Chris, he just laughed it off.
27:51Yeah, and part of it was the system, but Harden just, he found his groove.
27:55I mean, you think about just the seasons he's had.
27:57He's just played incredible, and he's going to have to bring those turnover numbers down, not used to playing with the ball, and not used to being in that position that much.
28:04Expect the turnover numbers to come down this season.
28:07The Heat have gone 2 of 4 here to start the second half.
28:09Well, we're into the third quarter, just over two and a half minutes play.
28:18Off the pick.
28:20Not enough on that one as it misses.
28:22You know, they don't score on that shot, but they're going to be happy with those kinds of possessions.
28:27Here's Paul.
28:30Paul missing again.
28:31Not sure what the deed was doing there.
28:34Clearly a breakdown.
28:35You can ill afford to give a guy like him that good look.
28:39Here's Waiters.
28:41He feeds it to Whiteside.
28:44That one, no good.
28:46Good work defensively by Capella.
28:52Harden against Waiters.
28:56Inside.
28:58Capella with the bucket.
28:59And that makes it a tie ball game.
29:02Even with the suffocating defense, Capella keeps his composure sinking.
29:06His interior looks rather effortless.
29:09Here's the screen.
29:11Rogic dishes to Whiteside.
29:14Pass to Waiters.
29:16And taken away by Paul.
29:21Just over three and a half minutes through the third quarter of play.
29:25Anderson.
29:25And good.
29:26And it takes a few spots off the right iron and down.
29:29And how many times have we seen a possession like that from them today?
29:33Ending with a basket.
29:35Coming off a pretty pass.
29:37And Chris, many thought that after the Rockets let Dwight Howard go, they would have a slight
29:41rebuilding phase.
29:42Turns out they were just reloading.
29:44Reloading.
29:44They were a surprise contender last season.
29:47And they did sneak up on some teams with how well they played, bro.
29:50The front office did a great job retuning the team.
29:52Great coaching job.
29:53But now with Paul in the mix, they're one of the scariest teams, at least on paper.
29:57Now Anderson, after the missed three from Goran Vragic.
30:03The dish to Harden.
30:04Over Waiters.
30:06And it's in after a nice bounce off the right side.
30:10Harden's got the lead up to four now for the Rockets.
30:13Heat shooting the ball at 42%.
30:14Here's Waiters.
30:22Johnson outside.
30:24Dishes to Whiteside.
30:27To stop the run.
30:28And he sinks the layup.
30:30Whiteside's got eight.
30:34One ten left in the third quarter of the game.
30:39Ariza outside.
30:44Now Capella.
30:46Paul right side.
30:50Shot clock at six.
30:53It's Ariza on the wing.
30:55Shoots over Winslow.
30:58Ariza no up.
31:01The Heat have gone three of eight so far in the third quarter.
31:03Looking to lock in that rhythm.
31:07No good from Vragic.
31:10He keeps battling, but so far this quarter, he hasn't been able to get it going.
31:14Pogets against Paul.
31:18Harden gets to Ariza.
31:22There's the screen.
31:24Here's Paul.
31:25Played in with a nice touch off the glass.
31:28He's got nine.
31:29And guys, the D has to show a little more fight on the interior than they did on that track.
31:35And here is Waiters.
31:40Right side of screen.
31:43And Waiters gets to Drogish.
31:45And he's good on the three ball.
31:48Nice bucket.
31:49There's no question about his skills at the offensive end.
31:51It's still anybody's game as we've reached the end of three.
31:58Rockets lead by one.
32:00And after a quick break, we're going to come right back with the start of the fourth quarter.
32:04Hey, Coach, Eric Spolstra mic'd up along the sideline.
32:21Let's check it out.
32:24Every loose ball, 50-50.
32:25We've got to come up with those.
32:27We've got to come up with those.
32:28Those will decide the game.
32:30Oh, Eric Spolstra, wanting every possible possession, asking his guys for the extra effort.
32:37And it's not just raising your intensity level.
32:41You have to maintain it for the long haul.
32:44I mean, to really wear down your opponent.
32:47You want to break their spirit.
32:51All right, the fourth quarter of action getting underway.
32:53We've had a great one so far with both sides coming to play.
32:57And for Miami, look at who they've got out there.
33:00We've got Olenek.
33:01Richardson is out there with Wayne Ellington.
33:03Then it's Winslow, and it's White, and at the small forward position.
33:08Now here's Paul.
33:12And Bahamute, the pass to Paul.
33:14Back to Bahamute.
33:17Six to shoot.
33:21The shot by Nene.
33:23No good.
33:23And typically, he has the touch to finish when he's in tight, but not sure on that position.
33:31Ellington kicks to Richardson.
33:35There's the pick.
33:37Olenek can't hit.
33:38The movement and the shot selection appear there, but you can't hit them all.
33:43In the corner, it's Gordon.
33:44He dishes it to Paul.
33:50Screened by Bahamute.
33:52There's Gordon with the three.
33:54Miami grabs the miss.
33:56Olenek's got three rebounds now in this one.
33:59Not his best game, but they're still getting it done collectively.
34:03There's Winslow.
34:07Sinks that one from the post.
34:09Winslow's got the fourth quarter started here with a bucket for the Heat.
34:13And just a hard-fought battle, and neither team able to create any distance.
34:19We'll credit the competitiveness.
34:21Neither team wanting to give up an inch.
34:23Now here's Anderson.
34:27Nene kicks to Paul.
34:29Here is Bahamute.
34:30Nene gets a hand on it, controls the rebound, and puts it back up and in.
34:35And the Rockets lead by one.
34:37Time running low, guys, and somebody has got to win this one.
34:41Yeah, well, who knows?
34:42We might need overtime in this one.
34:45It's been that kind of a game.
34:46Richardson against Gordon.
34:48On to White.
34:50Pass to Ellington.
34:52There's the pick.
34:56And it's Nene with the rebound.
34:58For Houston, they've gone 1-0-4 since the end of the third quarter.
35:03Out of bounds.
35:04Miami takes possession.
35:08P.J. Tucker.
35:08He's checked in for Nene.
35:10Heat also with a sub.
35:12White side's checked in for a lineman.
35:13And for the Heat, they're shooting for the game at 42%.
35:21Ellington dishes to Winslow.
35:28Inside.
35:29They get a hand on it.
35:29And that one goes out of bounds.
35:31Last touch by Anderson.
35:33So, for the Rockets.
35:34Clint Capella comes in for Mbahamute.
35:37And Trevor Arizes subbed in for P.J. Tucker.
35:40Goran Dragic is checked in for Miami.
35:53And over two and a half minutes in the books here in the fourth.
35:56Good ball movement here by Miami.
35:59Dragic with a screen for Richardson.
36:00Just four to shoot.
36:02Again, the miss by the Heat.
36:06Houston in the lead.
36:10Paul kicks to Anderson.
36:19Back to Paul.
36:21Anderson with a screen for Paul.
36:24There's Gordon with the three.
36:25As on White side grabs the miss.
36:28White side's got his third rebound on the ninth.
36:32In the corner.
36:33Winslow with it.
36:36Kicks it to White side.
36:41Now here's Winslow.
36:46No good that time.
36:48Good work defensively by Capella.
36:54The ten-footer.
36:56Rebound by the Heat.
36:57White side's got his fourth rebound with that last one here tonight.
37:00Richardson in the pass to Winslow.
37:05Feeds to Richardson.
37:07He kicks to White side.
37:10Shoots over Capella.
37:12That one a little long.
37:14Yeah, that's just poor decision-making.
37:17He's got to be better in those situations.
37:20I love to hear his explanation of Coach Wright there.
37:22I mean, that should be an interesting conversation.
37:25Now here's Gordon.
37:27Terrific design in the pick-put.
37:29And he lays it in.
37:30Come on, come on.
37:31He's a fearless scorer.
37:32Gordon has plenty of experience nailing these type of shots.
37:36Timeout called the Heat.
37:38They're trailing by three.
37:40There's a minute 47 left in the fourth quarter.
37:43It's good to me.
37:44It's good to me.
37:44It's good to resist for a 60 degree.
37:46I mean, this is my story.
37:48I don't know what you wish to eat.
37:50I probably break your legs.
37:51We don't get a fixed deal.
37:52We appear in the game.
37:53See the past things.
37:54So I got to fuck for my fiends.
37:56I fell out of the man and the man.
37:58And I was mean.
37:59I feel like it's not like real.
38:00I put purpose in the balls.
38:02He was born to perform for real.
38:04I do it just as far.
38:05Like the homies with the rock in the right two.
38:08Socks.
38:09Wood is gone.
38:10I live in the room.
38:10I got the light up in the crystal pressure.
38:13Hold on back to the block.
38:14I'm telling the shots.
38:15You sit and watch me.
38:16The clock can make a stop.
38:18Hold up.
38:19Well, let's get that tripping.
38:20It means I'm gonna burn it all out.
38:22I know you're a sick thing.
38:23I ain't real gonna zap.
38:25Amazing me.
38:26It almost is good when your team is.
38:29And this is a victory.
38:31The competition is too late.
38:33Yeah.
38:34It's just a victory.
38:36Now the presentation of our Jordan Player of the Game,
38:39Chris Paul.
38:40And I love that it's been a hard charging performance.
38:44Jump shots have been kind of an afterthought.
38:47His main goal has been to attack the rim
38:50and put the D in some tough spots
38:53and also finishing strong.
38:55And the Rockets making a change here.
39:09Harden's checked in.
39:10Johnson, he's checked in for Miami.
39:13Waiters comes in for Richardson.
39:14And keeping us updated from the sideline,
39:16let's swing it over to David Aldrich.
39:18Well, guys, during the last break,
39:20I'll listen to Eric Spolster address the team.
39:22And he's pushing them to empty the tank.
39:25He said, I know you're tired and it's been a tough game,
39:28but you can't hold back.
39:29If you're tired, come out.
39:31Otherwise, I want you full speed, guys.
39:34Thank you, David.
39:35And the dunk by Capella.
39:37And how about the incredible timing on that alley-oop?
39:41He absolutely hammered it down.
39:43It was beautiful the first time,
39:45but Under Armour showing us the replay
39:47of that tremendous alley-oop again.
39:49Another Unleash Chaos moment.
39:51Now, here's Waiters.
39:54Razzes to Winslow to take the lead.
39:59Harden grabs the miss.
40:00Houston's got an off to an 0 for 2 start
40:02from downtown here in the fourth quarter.
40:05Ariza no luck.
40:07Miami trailing.
40:121-0-3 left in the fourth quarter.
40:15They set the pick.
40:18Waiters dishes to Dragic.
40:2113 feet away.
40:24Huggins with another miss.
40:27Guy's some great passing from him.
40:29Everybody's touching it,
40:30and we're starting to see the assist pile up
40:32because the rhythm is on display offensively.
40:35Now, here's Paul.
40:40Harden outside.
40:42And so he earns a trip to the line.
40:45Officials saw the contact, and he'll shoot too.
40:47What makes Harden so special is his explosiveness.
40:50This guy can just turn it on whenever he wants to on off.
40:56James Harden.
40:58Two shots.
41:13Huge.
41:14Good on the first
41:26and that makes it a three-point lead.
41:44And so he drops them both.
41:50It's a four-point ballgame.
41:51Making this a two-possession game.
41:53That's the benefit of knocking down the easy.
41:57And Waiters kicks to Johnson.
42:00Yes!
42:00And he has brought them to within two points.
42:03Now, that is cold-thrutted.
42:06We want people to tune in, don't we?
42:08This is what they're tuning in to.
42:10Big moments.
42:14Big moments.
42:15James Harden.
42:17At the 100-2.
42:29So the first one drops and that makes it a three-point lead.
42:33And so both free throws are good.
42:45And it's a four-point ballgame.
42:51And the Heat all-time hit.
42:54They're trailing by four.
42:5724 seconds left to play here in the fourth.
42:59Yeah.
42:5924 seconds left to play here in the fourth.
45:00Two seconds left in the fourth quarter.
45:01The pass to Whiteside.
45:03And stolen by Arisa.
45:04And there's the intentional foul.
45:06No choice but to stop the clock here.
45:08At the line for your Rockets.
45:14James Harmon.
45:16Taking two shots.
45:19Shooting two, gentlemen.
45:30First free throw is good.
45:32And that puts them up by five.
45:42So he goes two for two at the line.
45:44And it's a six-point ball game.
45:46They can do it easy now.
45:47Thanks to those free throws.
45:48They won't have to sweat this one out.
45:51Johnson outside.
45:53Buries it from outside.
45:55Timeout called.
45:56The Rockets.
45:57They're in front by three.
46:00Five seconds left in the fourth quarter.
46:02And they're in front.
46:03We're in front.
46:03So thank you.
46:04Yes.
46:04Daddy.
46:05So throw.
46:05No.
46:06No.
46:07No.
46:08No.
46:08No.
46:09No.
46:09No.
46:09No.
46:10No.
46:10No.
46:10No.
46:10No.
46:10No.
46:11No.
46:11No.
46:12No.
46:12No.
46:13No.
47:14We're going to prolong the game here with an intentional foul.
47:20Good on the first, and that gives them a four-point cushion.
47:40Good on the first, and it's a five-point game.
47:54Good on the first, and it's a five-point game.
47:58Rockets with it, so we see the Rockets get the win here.
48:01It was a fantastic ball game, and they did a great job making sure it didn't get away from them late.
48:07Yeah, I mean, they faced some challenges, but really held firm when they needed to.
48:12On both ends, it's just effective in terms of coming away with this win.
48:17And that's going to do it tonight, folks, for our broadcast.
48:19For Chris Weber, Greg Anthony, and David Alders, this is Kevin Harlan saying thanks for watching.
48:26So long and good night, everyone.
48:28Let's go.
48:29One.
48:29One.
48:30One.
48:31One.
48:32One.
48:33One.
48:36One.
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