Fred VanVleet Says Rockets Need to 'Play Harder, Smarter and Better' Following Loss to Heat

After another road loss, Fred VanVleet has three elements that could lead to the Houston Rockets improving their play amid a six-game road trip.

When the Houston Rockets closed their seven-game homestand Saturday night in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks, Fred VanVleet cited physicality as the key to fixing the team's road struggles.

Two nights later, VanVleet tied his second highest-scoring performance of the season. However, the Rockets extended their losing streak in South Beach amid a 120-113 defeat to the Miami Heat.

VanVleet finished with a game-high 32 points on 10 of 22 shooting, 7 of 14 from behind the arc. He also added seven assists, five rebounds and two blocks. Unfortunately for Houston, VanVleet was the only player who matched the desire physicality against the Heat.

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet drives past Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the first half at Kaseya Center / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

"On the road against a good team, you have to be a little bit better and play harder, smarter and better," VanVleet said. "We just did not do that tonight...We did not do a good job of containing them or corralling them. They were able to dictate the game. It wasn't our best effort."

The Rockets got subpar production from nearly every player who stepped onto the Kaseya Center's floor, which included Alperen Şengün. 

The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week finished with 21 points on 9 of 15 shooting and 11 rebounds. But Şengün could not have his usual impact due to foul trouble. He fouled out in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

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As a former foe in the Eastern Conference, VanVleet knew he had to step his game up due to the Heat's unwillingness to play Şengün one-on-one.

"I've played against Miami for seven years, four times a year, they never let anyone play them one-on-one," VanVleet said. "Especially a post player they can double. That's what they do, they pack the paint. We knew there would be opportunities elsewhere. And I was able to make a few shots. Our defense was most of the problem."