The Houston Rockets play host to the Miami Heat at the Toyota Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Rockets vs. Heat Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs. Heat Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat have been in a rut as they’ve dropped their last three games and they will be hoping to bounce back after getting beaten by the Lakers in a 134-126 loss on Thursday. Bam Adebayo led the team with 28 points and 10 rebounds on nine of 19 shooting, Tyler Herro added 21 points with eight rebounds and five assists, and Norman Powell chipped in with 20 points off the bench. As a team, the Heat shot 51 percent from the field and 12 of 38 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 42 points in the first quarter to take an early 15-point lead, but they couldn’t find a way to slow down the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, who scorched them for 60 points with nine 3-pointers.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in decent shape, as they’ve split their last 10 games overall and they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a two-game skid with a 117-95 win last night. Kevin Durant led the team with 25 points and six assists on nine of 15 shooting. Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points on seven of 14 shooting, while Alperen Sengun tallied 15 points with nine rebounds and 10 assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 51 percent from the field and 14 of 30 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 35 points in the first quarter to jump out to an early lead before they exploded for 39 points in the third quarter to push the lead out to 34 points at one stage.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won 13 of their last 14 night games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost five of their last six night games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Heat have won each of their last 12 games against Southwest Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last eight games against Heat teams that held a winning record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Southwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Rockets’ last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Heat’s last five games as underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Amen Thompson ranks 3rd in the league for points in the paint (826) this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 4th in the league for points in the paint (824) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Davion Mitchell has recorded 14 games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season—the most of any player in the league.
- Bam Adebayo is one of only two players in the league to have scored 60+ points in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.1).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (39.4).
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (43.5).
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (93.6).
Rockets vs Heat Prediction
The Heat have ruled out Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jacquez Jr again with Pelle Larsson and Simone Fontecchio both questionable, while the Rockets have ruled out Jae’Sean Tate and Steven Adams once again. The Heat have cooled off a bit recently with three losses in a row but they are only slight underdogs against the Rockets, who have been playing well below their best lately. You can make an argument for either side here, but the Rockets are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, so I am leaning towards the Heat to take advantage and escape with the narrow win.