Jimmy Butler returned to the court with a splendid 37-point performance to help lead the new-look Miami Heat to a 120-110 victory over the host Houston Rockets on New Year’s Eve.
Butler and Kyle Lowry made a more-than-welcome return to the team, not only for their considerable talent but also simply because they needed more healthy bodies in order to play the game. The entire bench consisted of 10-day emergency contract players with the standout being Kyle Guy, who looked the part of Mike Miller with his “glue guy” skills. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra started the remaining five players on the regular roster: Butler, Lowry, Tyler Herro, Omer Yurtseven and Caleb Martin — all of which scored in double-figures.