Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat Prediction 12-29-24 NBA Picks

The Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets do battle at the Toyota Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat Prediction. This article will include a Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat Pick.

The Miami Heat have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping for a better result after having their two-game win streak halted by the Hawks in a 120-110 road defeat last night. Tyler Herro led the team with 28 points and 10 assists, Bam Adebayo added 17 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks while Duncan Robinson chipped in with 16 points and five assists.

As a team, the Heat shot 44 percent from the field and 13 of 41 from the 3-point line as they kept within striking distance of the Hawks, but could never get over the line with no bench player scoring more than Alec Burks’ 10 points. The Heat will take on the Pelicans and Pacers after this game.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in fine form as they’ve reeled off six wins in their last eight games overall and they will be eager to bounce back after having their four-game win streak snapped by the Timberwolves in a 113-112 home defeat on Friday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 38 points and 12 rebounds on 16 of 25 shooting, Amen Thompson added 20 points with 11 rebounds while Fred VanVleet chipped in with 18 points and seven assists.

As a team, the Rockets shot 48 percent from the field and 10 of 30 from the 3-point line as they dominated the third quarter by 32-19 to turn a 10-point deficit into a 10-point deficit into a 16-point lead, only to go cold and score just six points in the final 4:56 to allow the Timberwolves to steal the game at the end.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Rockets have won each of their last eight games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Heat have lost five of their last six road games.
• The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites after losing as favorites.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games.

Total Points Facts

• Thirteen of the Rockets’ last 14 games as favorites following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
• Eight of the Heat’s last 10 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.

The Heat are still missing Jimmy Butler and Josh Richardson, while the Rockets are keeping an eye on Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason who are both questionable. The Heat have been one of the more disappointing teams this season, as they haven’t been able to go on any sustained run with the constant injuries they’ve had to deal with. Meanwhile, the Rockets are coming into this one as clear favorites, as they were on a great run before getting stopped in their tracks by the Timberwolves in a heartbreaking loss on Friday. The line is modest for this one, so I will stick with the more consistent Rockets to continue their strong form with a win and cover at home.

Peter Tran's Free Pick: Houston -6.5

Need More? Get Premium Picks