On December 30, 2024, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the 21-10 Rockets host the 15-14 Heat. Over the past four seasons, the Heat had swept the Rockets in the regular season, earning a reputation as the Rockets' nemesis. Today, the Rockets were eager to end their losing streak against the Heat. Could they do it? The Rockets were without Ison, but Dillon returned to the starting lineup: VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Smith, and Shen Jing. On the Heat side, Butler and Deng Luo were absent, with the starting lineup consisting of Hero, Rozier, Hesmith, Love, and Adebayo. In the first quarter, Smith hit a 3+1, while Love responded with two free throws. VanVleet and Shen Jing scored five points in a row, giving the Rockets a 9-2 lead. Love scored on an offensive rebound, and Jalen Green responded with three free throws, extending the Rockets' lead to eight points. Adebayo, Hero, Rozier, and Hesmith went on a 12-0 run, allowing the Heat to take a four-point lead. Shen Jing tied the score, but Rozier and Hero scored, to which Dillon responded with five points in a row, giving the Rockets a one-point lead. Hero scored again, but Adams and Whitmore responded, putting the Rockets up by two points. Jovic and Rozier then took the lead by four points, ending the first quarter with the Heat leading 31-27. In the second quarter, Thompson and Whitmore dunked, while Jovic and Rozier responded, keeping the Heat's lead at four points. Shen Jing scored four points in a row, to which Jovic…