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Rockets vs Heat NBA Odds, Preview & Expert Prediction.

Rockets vs Heat NBA Odds, Preview & Expert Prediction

Written by on December 20, 2018

NBA News and Rumors
The Houston Rockets might opt to rest a key player or two in Thursday night’s first nationally televised game on TNT and in their first and only visit of the season to play the Miami Heat. That’s because the Rockets will be playing the second of a back-to-back and third game in four nights. So any NBA odds will be reflected on whether Mike D’Antoni sits a Chris Paul or James Harden (Harden doesn’t usually sit).  

How to Bet Rockets vs Heat NBA Odds & Game Info

Team Records

  • All: Houston Rockets 16-14 / Miami Heat 13-16
  • Home: Houston Rockets 9-5 / Miami Heat 5-9
  • Away: Houston Rockets 7-9 / Miami Heat 8-7
  • ATS: Houston Rockets 13-16-1 / Miami Heat 15-14
  • Over/Under: Houston Rockets 17-13 / Miami Heat 15-14

Season Series

First Meeting. Houston swept last year after losing three of the previous four meetings. The Rockets averaged 104.0 ppg on 47.7% FGs while the Heat averaged 95.5 ppg on 45.9% FG’s. Houston outshot Miami 39.7% to 32.3% from 3-point range. James Harden averaged 34.5 ppg against Miami. Chris Paul averaged 20 points. Goran Dragic had 30 points in his only game played vs. Houston last year. Josh Richardson averaged 21.0 ppg and Hassan Whiteside: 19.0 ppg and 15.0 rpg.

Houston hasn’t won three straight vs. Miami since 2/21/08-1/17/09 and has lost 17 of past 23 in south Florida.

Why Bet on Houston?

You will want to wait until perhaps a bit before tipoff to bet this one. Why? The Rockets hosted Washington on Wednesday night so it’s possible that Coach Mike D’Antoni sits Chris Paul, for example. Houston is 3-2 in the second game of back-to-backs this season after going 10-3 in 2017-18.

Houston is 14-7 when Clint Capela, James Harden, and Paul play together this season after going 42-3 in 2017-18 (all 3 losses coming by six or fewer points). The Rockets outscored opponents by an average of 11.5 ppg in the 45 games Capela, Paul and Harden played together in 2017-18.

Harden is averaging 31.5 ppg (1st in NBA), 8.2 apg (tied for sixth in NBA), 5.8 rpg and 2.15 spg (fourth in NBA). Michael Jordan (1988-89) is the only player to have averaged at least 30.0 ppg, 8.0 apg, 5.0 rpg and 2.00 spg in a single season. The Rockets have lost eight of their last 11 road games after winning four of their first five. Houston is 7-9 on the road this season after winning a franchise-high 31 road games in 2017-18 (tied for sixth-most in NBA history). Houston is 14-2 when leading after three-quarters of play this season and 1-12 when tied or trailing as of Wednesday. The Rockets were 56-3 when leading after three-quarters of play last season and 9-14 when tied or trailing.

Why Bet on Miami?

Heat are well-rested, not having played since a 102-86 win at New Orleans on Sunday. Hassan Whiteside hit 8-of-14 shots and 1-of-3 free throws for 17 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Josh Richardson hit 9-of-20 shots and two 3-pointers for 22 points, one rebound, four assists, and three steals. Dwyane Wade hit 6-of-12 shots and three 3-pointers for 19 points, six rebounds, two assists, and five turnovers. Tyler Johnson played through a hip injury and hit 5-of-13 shots and three 3-pointers for 15 points, one rebound, two assists, and a steal.

Miami got some bad news on Wednesday as Goran Dragic had arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss the next two months of action. Dragic has been limited to 14 games this year as his knee had not responded to rest and treatment, which resulted in the need for surgery. Dragic did not play in the Heat’s game vs. New Orleans. That marked the fourth time in five games he sat out with right knee soreness. The last game Dragic played in was on Dec. 10, logging 17 minutes in a 108-105 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rockets vs Heat should be a close one.

Overall, Dragic has missed 12 of Miami’s last 14 games. He is averaging 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 14 games this season, shooting 41 percent and 31.4 percent on 3-pointers. The Heat have been using Richardson, Justise Winslow, James Johnson and Wade to handle playmaking duties while Dragic has been out.

Johnson (migraine) did not practice on Wednesday, but he’s being listed as probable for Thursday’s game. He is going to see a ton of opportunity over the next few months with Dragic out. Justise Winslow (ankle) is questionable to play Thursday. Winslow was unable to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he’s out, Wayne Ellington would likely return to the rotation. After a strong start to the month, Winslow is averaging just 5.0 points (on 25% shooting) and 3.3 rebounds in 22.7 minutes over the Heat’s last three games.

Rockets vs Heat NBA Betting Trends

  • Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record
  • Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference
  • Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference
  • Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record
  • Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 11 of Houston’s last 16 games
  • Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 5 games

Expert NBA Betting Prediction for Rockets vs Heat

Take rested Heat to win outright.
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