MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday’s 115-105 victory over the Houston Rockets:

– Yes, finally some extended side-by-side again for the Heat with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.

– A reminder that big sometimes can be better.

– So a double-double for Adebayo.

– And one for Ware.

– The interesting part is almost always being in a zone with Ware in the game.

– The trust with individual defense is not there.

– With questions about such ability.

– In the first half, there was quality time together.

– In the second half, initially it was more either/or.

– And then, both there for the finish.

– By design.

– In this one, it was as if coach Erik Spoelstra said enough when it came to being beaten on the boards.

– And that certainly is one area where Ware has more than held his own.

– With Norman Powell out, more opportunity to turn to something bigger.

– With trust this time even in the fourth quarter.

– Having reached the point where it’s almost surprising to see games like this, with Ware with more than 20 minutes.

– Indeed, the rare box score when Adebayo plays 35:00 and Ware 28:35.

– With Powell (groin) out, Tyler Herro opened alongside Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell.

– That lineup entered 0-2.

– Herro then was called for a double-technical foul along with Kevin Durant, as the two jawed after a timeout.

–The Rockets opened with a lineup of Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün.

– Ware was first off the Heat bench.

– Promptly converting his 101st 3-pointer of his career.

–  Jaime Jaquez Jr. followed.

– And then Kasparas Jakucionus.

– With Simone Fontecchio remaining in the rotation for nine deep.

–  Adebayo then played alongside Ware, even with Adebayo called for his second foul with 2:24 left in the opening period.

– By the end of the opening period, the Heat were 10 deep, with Dru Smith entering.

– The rotation tightened in the second half, with no Fontecchio and limited Jakucionis.

– Spoelstra said it can’t just be Herro in Powell’s absence..

– “We have enough guys to put points on the board and guys have had those opportunities throughout this course of the season to prove that they can step up,” he said.

– Spoelstra, who will be Team USA Olympic coach at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, was asked about the Rockets’ Durant saying that even at 40 he hopes to be part of that mix.

– “That’s the culture of USA Basketball, you just want the best American players to raise their hand and say, ‘I want to do this,’ ” Spoelstra said. “And you can feel his passion for representing the country and the USA on the jersey. He’s been incredible in those competitions.”

– The game opened the two-game season series that concludes March 21 in Houston.

– That made the Rockets the final team for the Heat to face the first time this season.

– The Heat already have concluded their season series with 14 other teams: Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Golden State, LA Clippers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento and Utah.