The Miami Heat did not look like they had a chance against the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Things could have gone better for them, though, in their loss to the Houston Rockets, if only the officiating had done a better job.
The Heat suffered their fifth straight loss after getting dominated by the visiting Spurs. They could have snapped the skid at three last Saturday, but Amen Thompson made a tip-in to steal the 123–122 victory.
It felt like it was the Rockets’ night. Kevin Durantpassed Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list and is now No. 5. Thompson also hit his first game-winning shot at the Toyota Center.
However, the Last Two Minute Report by the NBA tells a different story. One correct call could have changed the direction of the game in the final 16 seconds.
The referees made two incorrect calls in the last two minutes of the game, when every possession mattered. The first went against the Rockets. According to the L2M, Bam Adebayo should have been called for a foul on Thompson at the 56.1-second mark. The Rockets were up, 119–116, when Thompson turned the ball over.
Miami Heat’s Simone Fontecchio and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun battle for the loose ballThomas Shea-Imagn Images
(Thomas Shea-Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat capitalized, as Pelle Larsson made a layup to trim the lead to one point.
The other incorrect non-call occurred during the final 16 seconds, when the Rockets were leading 119–118. The report states that Alperen Sengun should have been called for a three-second violation. Reed Sheppard capitalized by making a 16-foot jumper to extend the lead to 121–118.
It was a battle from then on. The Heat climbed back to take the lead, 122–121, on a Simone Fontecchio layup. However, as many saw, they failed to box out Thompson on the final possession. The game ended 123–122 in the Rockets’ favor.
The Heat continue to skid after reaching the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference last week. This latest loss drops them to the No. 9 spot with a 38–34 record. They are just 0.5 games ahead of the No. 10 Charlotte Hornets.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.