Amen Thompson's buzzer-beating putback layup and Reed Sheppard's career performance delivered the Houston Rockets a stunning 123-122 victory over the Miami Heat at Toyota Center on Saturday.

With the Rockets trailing by one with five seconds left, Kevin Durant's contested shot rimmed out before Thompson flew in to tap home the rebound as time expired.

"Amen saved the day," head coach Ime Udoka said.

Sheppard finished with 23 points, a career-high 14 assists and zero turnovers, becoming the first Rocket to record 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in a single game. Thompson added 24 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. The two started together for the second straight game after Udoka committed to the pairing following back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the week.

"They've both been thrust into positions they haven't played in the NBA yet," Durant said. "Over the year, they've gotten better and more comfortable in their roles. When they're in the backcourt together, they provide us with something we haven't seen consistently: two guys who can handle the ball, two guys who can make plays."

Udoka credited Sheppard's poise against Miami's complex zone defense.

"You could see him kind of growing up right before your eyes," Udoka said. "He was picking the zone apart and making the right reads."

The young backcourt has formed a tight bond throughout a challenging season that included Fred VanVleet's September ACL tear.

"Me and Amen have gotten really close this year," Sheppard said. "Every time we get on the court, I feel like we get better together."

Since the All-Star break, Houston has outscored opponents by 40 points with Sheppard, Thompson and Durant sharing the floor.