Eason Outspoken About Team Rivalry After Rockets' Heartbreaking Overtime Defeat
### Rockets' Season Ends in Overtime Heartbreak
In a thrilling and heartbreaking overtime game, the Houston Rockets fell to the Miami Heat, ending their season in the first round of the playoffs. The game was tied at 104 with 1.3 seconds remaining in regulation when Heat guard Kyle Lowry hit a game-winning shot.
After the game, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. was outspoken about the team's rivalry with the Heat, saying that "there's no love lost" between the two teams.
"They're our biggest rivals," Smith said. "We've had some great battles with them over the years, and I think there's a lot of respect between the two teams. But there's also a lot of competitiveness, and I think that's what makes the rivalry so great."
### Rivalry Dates Back to 2000s
The rivalry between the Rockets and Heat dates back to the early 2000s, when the two teams met in the playoffs several times. The Rockets won the first two meetings, in 2004 and 2005, but the Heat won the next two meetings, in 2007 and 2009.
The rivalry has continued in recent years, with the Rockets and Heat meeting in the playoffs again in 2012 and 2015. The Rockets won both of those series, but the Heat got their revenge in this year's playoffs.
### Smith Hopes to Continue Rivalry
Despite the Rockets' loss, Smith said he hopes to continue the rivalry with the Heat in the future.
"I think it's a great rivalry," Smith said. "It's one of the best in the NBA, and I'm proud to be a part of it. I'm looking forward to the next time we play them."
The Rockets will have to wait until next season to get their chance at revenge, but Smith is confident that the team will be ready.
"We're a young team, and we're still learning," Smith said. "But we're going to be back next year, and we're going to be better. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this rivalry."