Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat Betting Preview
February 1, 2016
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 2, 8:00 PM
Venue: Toyota Center (Houston, Texas)
Head to head record
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets 109-89 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat 100-105 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat 115-79 (2014/2015 NBA)
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets 91-108 (2014/2015 NBA)
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets 90-85 (2014/2015 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat prediction
Out-of-form Houston Rockets play host to Miami Heat at their Toyota Center on Tuesday evening. Erik Spoelstra’s team have been producing outstanding performances of late, but winning an NBA game against Rockets in Texas is easier said than done.
Dip in form
Houston Rockets were totally outclassed by their fierce rivals San Antonio Spurs on 28 January (130-99) and they have yet to recover from the defeat. Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff and his men head into Tuesday’s clash against Miami Heat following back-to-back defeats to the likes of Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards and it has to be noted the team have been struggling defensively of late. Key player James Harden scored 40 points in the 123-122 loss to Wizards, while adding 11 assists and, no doubt, all eyes will be on “The Beard“ when Houston take on Miami at the Toyota Center. Rockets are tough to beat at home and seeing that they sit in seventh place in the Western Conference, the hosts will certainly leave their hearts on the court in an attempt to put an end to their three-match losing run in the league. Houston Rockets recorded a 115-104 win over Dallas Mavericks in their last home game.
Forward Sam Dekker is likely to miss the match with a low back pain, while the likes of Thornton and Harrell could return after missing the Wizards game (coach decision).
Heat flying high
Miami Heat have been in brilliant form of late, with the team beating the likes of Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks in previous four league games. Erik Spoelstra’s men head into Tuesday’s game against Houston Rockets full of confidence and the fact that they scored 100+ points in each of their previous three matches is giving the fans reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Texas. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 35 points between them in the 105-87 win over Atlanta Hawks and the duo is likely to pose a big threat for Rockets on Tuesday night. Miami sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but a win over Houston could see them overtake third-placed Chicago Bulls in the overall standings. It has to be noted that Erik Spoelstra’s team are eyeing their fourth consecutive win on the road. Dwyane Wade netted 24 points in the 107-103 win at Milwaukee in Miami’s last away game.
Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson and Chris Andersen all missed the game against Atlanta and they are unlikely to recover in time to face Houston. Coach Erik Spoelstra has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game.
Interesting Facts
- Houston Rockets scored 102+ points in each of their last four home games
- Houston conceded 111+ points in each of their previous five matches
- Rockets are averaging 105.1 points per game this term
- Rockets were beaten by Miami in previous two meetings
- Miami Heat are eyeing their fifth straight win in NBA
- Heat are averaging 95.9 points per game this season
Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat betting pick
Miami Heat impressed in the 105-87 win over Atlanta Hawks, while Houston Rockets were beaten by Washington Wizards on Saturday evening despite scoring 122 points in the Toyota Center clash. Seeing that J.B. Bickerstaff’s troops conceded 369 points in previous three games, I would not be surprised if we see a high-scoring affair in Texas. In their last meeting at the Toyota Center Miami Heat recorded a 105-100 win over Houston Rockets.
Pick: Over 204 points
Odds: -110
