Free NBA Pick: Heat vs. Rockets NBA Odds
Looking for Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Heat taking on the Rockets on Thursday, December 15th, 2022 at the Toyota Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Heat-Rockets matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(14-15) Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets (9-18)
Date: Thursday, December 15th
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
NBA Moneyline Odds: Heat -195 | Rockets +180 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Heat -5
NBA Betting Total: 223.5
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Thursday, December 15th finds the Miami Heat facing the Houston Rockets for the first of two scheduled matches. Miami will host the second meeting on February 10th.
The Heat are completing a back-to-back set having outlasted the Thunder 110-108 on Wednesday while the Rockets added more pain to the Suns’ recent woes beating them 111-97 on Tuesday.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Heat taking both contests and on a current four-game win streak versus the Rockets. The Heat holds the all-time record having bested the Rockets in 37 of their 70 matches.
Miami Heat
Presumably, the Heat looked at the schedule and decided they would rather play Jimmy Butler versus the Rockets who’ve been winning more than the Thunder lately hence why he sat on Wednesday.
It was a gamble that almost backfired as OKC erased a double-digit deficit and almost stole the game.
While the Heat hasn’t feasted offensively this season their stars are performing. Jimmy Butler (21.7) and Bam Adebayo (20.8) are both averaging over 20 points and Tyler Herro is close behind with 19.5 per game.
Offensively, the Heat score 107.9 points per game (30th rank) shooting 45.0% from the field (26th) and 33.7% from the perimeter (24th).
Defensively, the Heat allow opponents to score 109.3 points per game ranking fifth. Miami opponents shoot 47.1% from the field and 35.7% from the perimeter both ranking 16th.
The official injury report hasn’t been submitted as of posting but the presumption is Butler will play. Gabe Vincent (knee) is questionable while Omer Yurtseven (ankle surgery) is out indefinitely.
Houston Rockets
My oh my, the Rockets have been playing well of late and offering great returns as typically being the underdog. They’re 6-4 through the last 10 games and 5-0 in their last five at home.
It’s who they are beating that is reason to stop and consider this team has turned a corner– because it includes title contenders like the Bucks, 76ers, and Suns (TWICE!).
And this game marks the start of a five-game home stand for Houston.
Jalen Green leads the team as the only 20 points scorer averaging 21.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
He’s shooting 41.8 percent from the field on 17. 7 attempts, 32.3 percent from the perimeter on 7.2 attempts, and 80.6 percent from the stripe on 5.7 attempts.
Loyal readers, know Alperen Sengun is the player I find the most compelling on Houston (hello easy wins in prop bets). Although he logs fewer minutes than Green or Porter Jr. he is extremely efficient and fills up the box score.
He’s averaging close to a double-double of 14.5 points and 9.0 rebounds (3.6 on the offensive glass) in 26.8 minutes per game.
Offensively, the Rockets score 110.3 points per game ranking 25th overall. Houston shoots 44.3 percent from the field which is the worst in the league and 33.9 percent from the perimeter ranking 22nd overall.
Defensively, the Rockets allow opponents to score 115.5 points per game, while Houston’s foes shoot 47.5% and 36.4% from the perimeter both ranking with all three categories ranking 21st.
Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) is out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
- The Rockets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- The Heat are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Houston.
- Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 overall.
Free Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets NBA Prediction:
Although the Heat could easily deliver a defensive blow and pummel the Rockets there is no discounting what confidence does for a young squad.
I’m not sure they’ll be able to extend the home win streak to six in a row but I’ll always buy stock on ‘confidence’ so take the points and the Rockets.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Rockets +5
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