In the second game of a season-long homestand of five games, the Houston Rockets blew another second-half lead in Sunday’s 104-100 loss (box score) to the Miami Heat.

After being outscored 15-2 to end Friday’s stunning home loss to Minnesota, the Rockets allowed Miami to go on a 17-2 run over an extended stretch in the final eight minutes of Sunday’s game. Yet again, offensive ineptitude was a leading theme.

“Scoring at the end in both of those games obviously stands out, and that’s something that has to be addressed,” head coach Ime Udoka said postgame.

In the final minute, spurred by controversial officiating judgments, the frustrations seemed to boil over. Collectively, three players on the Rockets and two on the Heat were ejected, along with a pair of Houston coaches.

Tyler Herro led the Heat (16-14) with 27 points and 9 assists, shooting 10-of-17 overall (58.8%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).

Individual statistics of note for the Rockets (21-11) included:

• Alperen Sengun: 18 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 turnovers; 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%)
• Dillon Brooks: 22 points, 4 rebounds; 8-of-20 shooting (40.0%), 5-of-12 on 3-pointers (41.7%)
• Jalen Green: 19 points, 2 assists; 6-of-20 shooting (30.0%), 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)
• Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks; 6-of-17 shooting (35.3%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%)

Sengun shot just 1-of-6 in the second half (16.7%) after making all seven of his first-half shots.

Tari Eason missed his sixth consecutive game for the Rockets with lower left leg soreness, and no return date is yet in sight.

Dec. 29 Rockets-Heat Complete Highlights

Dec. 29 Postgame Reaction and Interviews

What’s Next

Houston will hit the midpoint of its five-game homestand with a New Year’s Day matchup versus the in-state rival Dallas Mavericks (20-12). Wednesday’s tipoff at Toyota Center is at 7:00 p.m. Central.

More:Heat 104, Rockets 100: Frustrations boil over with seven ejections in final minute