This was not one of those mark-your-calendar sort of games. Not when the participants entered with a combined 11-34 record and had been two of the most hapless clubs in the NBA this season.

But with the way wins have eluded the Heat, even a victory over the Steve Francis-, Glen Rice-less Houston Rockets would pass for satisfying these days, even if it required some unexpected heroics to achieve.

Jim Jackson's three-pointer with one second left lifted Miami to a 76-73 victory Saturday at Compaq Center for only Miami's third victory in its past 16 outings. It was ugly, but nonetheless a needed win.

``We've been in games like this all season,'' said Jackson, 8 of 10 on three-pointers this season. ``Maybe showing we can win like this is preparing us for something better down the road.''

Jackson said the last play was drawn to go to the post, but Oscar Torres left Jackson free, and Eddie Jones found him.

``All I know is I just saw daylight,'' Jackson said.

Sluggish on both ends most of the night, Miami struggled to hit big shots down the stretch -- until the end.

It was an exhilarating end to a game that, for the most part, was not pretty. There were fumbled passes, botched fast breaks, collisions and various other forms of unforced errors in one of the most unsightly games the Heat has played this year. The Rockets were equally inept, trailing most of the way.