Heat erase 21-point deficit, keep Rockets winless

If at some point in the 2015-16 season the Miami Heat are struggling to climb out of a collective shooting slump, head coach Erik Spoelstra can to refer to Nov. 1 as a source of motivation.

Sunday's matchup against the Houston Rockets became an instant classic, as the Heat eliminated a 21-point deficit en route to an incredible comeback victory thanks to an improbable 41-point swing.

The boys from South Beach entered halftime down 19 after being outscored 28-14 in the second quarter.

His teammates' lackluster play invoked a fiery midgame speech from tri-captain Udonis Haslem.

"UD got on us like a captain should," fellow captain Dwyane Wade admitted. "It was all bleep, bleep, bleep."

Wade performed admirably, particularly during the team's second-half run. The 11-time All-Star finished with 20 points, eight assists, and two steals.

Hassan Whiteside, another key contributor in Spoelstra's potent starting lineup, dunked, rebounded, blocked, and altered shots with enviable efficacy.

Related: Wade, Whiteside connect on another high-flying alley-oop

The fourth-year pro collected a whopping 15 boards, swatted two shots, while adding three steals to his impressive stat line.

The Heat had four other players - Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Tyler Johnson, and rookie Justise Winslow - who scored in double figures.

Meanwhile, for the Rockets, who were without center Dwight Howard, offensive production hit a wall as soon as the second half began.

James Harden struggled to make a field goal in the final two quarters, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in spite of his forgettable 2-for-15 from the field, 0-for-10 from beyond the arc, and five turnovers to boot.

Ty Lawson, the Rockets' marquee offseason acquisition, scored only four points in 37 minutes of play.

This loss might force Rockets head coach Kevin McHale to go back to the drawing board, as the lop-sided nature of his team's first three games put them in rather undesirable company.

Now sporting a 0-3 record, the Rockets are the first team in NBA history to start a season with three straight 20-point losses.