Miami @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 15, 2017 ) Miami 117, Houston 109

The Houston Rockets will try to finish what could be a transformative homestand with a perfect record when they host the Miami Heat on Monday. The Rockets lost their most recent road game at the Los Angeles Clippers last week - with leading scorer James Harden still sidelined with a hamstring injury - and allowed their frustrations to get the best of them while attempting to confront Clippers players in the bowels of the Staples Center.

Harden returned three days later as Houston routed Minnesota to begin the homestand and he was just about back to normal in a solid 116-108 victory over the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors on Saturday. "Obviously they're a championship caliber team for the past four years ... and that's what we're trying to build our way up to," Harden told reporters after scoring 22 points to help snap the Warriors' 14-game road winning streak and pull within 3 1/2 games of the defending champs in the West standings. The Heat are aiming to finish above .500 on their five-game road trip after splitting the first four, utilizing a stunning rally in the closing seconds to steal a 106-105 win at Charlotte on Saturday. Wayne Ellington used his first start of the season to score 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting for Miami, which is 15-10 on the road.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Sun (Miami), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE HEAT (27-19): The starting lineup shuffle in Charlotte was necessary due to a knee issue for point guard Goran Dragic, who was active but only available in an emergency capacity, and the continued absence of shooting guard Tyler Johnson, whose sprained ankle has caused him to miss three straight. James Johnson chipped in 22 points and both Kelly Olynyk (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Hassan Whiteside (10 points, 13 boards) had double-doubles for Miami, which won the fourth quarter 33-22. "Guys took ownership of it," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "Our defensive intensity in the fourth quarter was the best part and the most consistent part of it during the game."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (32-12): Chris Paul carried Houston while Harden was out and he was the catalyst again versus Golden State with 33 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. The Rockets triumphed despite seeing top reserve Eric Gordon miss all nine of his 3-point tries and while playing without suspended players Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green, and Harden's ability to get back up to speed was key. "I felt like trash last game," Harden said of his 10 points in 26 minutes against Minnesota. "It felt good to be back out there. Not worried about scoring. Just worried about getting in shape and being locked in on both ends of the floor. Obviously, my scoring and playmaking abilities will come when I get my rhythm back."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Paul averages 21.4 points and 9.2 assists at home, compared to 16.4 and 8.8 on the road.

2. Ariza and Green are expected back after serving two-game suspensions for their roles in the altercations in Los Angeles.

3. Miami took both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Rockets 112, Heat 104