The Miami Heat (15-14) travel to face off against the Houston Rockets (21-10) on Sunday, December 29th. This game will be played at Toyota Center in Houston and televised on SCHN. Both the Heat and Rockets will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Heat vs Rockets

The Heat Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Heat fell to 15-14 on the season after a 120-110 road loss to the Hawks on Saturday. Miami entered the game as +1 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 230 points narrowly exceeded the pre-game line of 227.5.

Miami trailed 35-28 after the 1st quarter but outscored Atlanta 30-26 in the 2nd. However, the Hawks pulled ahead by winning the 3rd quarter 32-26, and Miami couldn’t close the gap in the 4th, where they were outscored 27-26.

The Rockets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Rockets fell to 21-10 on the season after a 113-112 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. Houston was favored by 1 point at home but couldn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 225.5 exceeded the O/U line of 215.5 by 9.5 points.

Houston appeared to be in control after a 32-19 3rd quarter and a 10-0 run that pushed their lead from 94-86 to 104-86. However, the Timberwolves stormed back with a 37-point 4th quarter to steal the win.

Heat Offense Breakdown

In their 120-110 loss to the Hawks, the Heat’s offense struggled, shooting 44.4% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range. Tyler Herro led the way with 28 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at a 57.1% clip.

Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Duncan Robinson contributed 16 points, 11 of which came in the 2nd quarter. Robinson also made 4 threes, shooting 40% from deep.

Rockets Offense Breakdown

Alperen Şengün’s 38-point, 12-rebound performance on 64% shooting was the highlight for the Rockets in their 113-112 loss to the Timberwolves. Amen Thompson added 20 points, hitting 75% from the field, while Fred VanVleet contributed 18 points, knocking down 5 threes at a 50% clip despite shooting 37.5% overall.

Houston hit 10 threes at 33.3% efficiency, finishing with a 48.9% overall shooting percentage. Şengün scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter and added 8 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters.

Heat Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat struggled against the Hawks, giving up 120 points on 51% shooting. Atlanta scored 35 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 3rd, with Miami tightening up slightly in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing 26 and 27 points, respectively.

The Heat allowed 15 three-pointers at a 40% clip and sent the Hawks to the line 22 times, where they made 17 free throws. Miami finished with 34 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.

Rockets Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat struggled against the Hawks, giving up 120 points on 51% shooting. They allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, holding Atlanta to 26 points. The Hawks scored 32 in the 3rd and 27 in the 4th to secure the win.

Miami allowed 15 threes on 40% shooting and sent the Hawks to the line 22 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Heat gave up 9 offensive rebounds while recording 9 steals and 4 blocks.

Heat vs Rockets Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Heat have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 105 points per game in this stretch.
• Houston has played well in their previous five home games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 113 points per game while allowing 107. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• As the betting underdog, the Heat have an ATS mark of just 4-6 in their last ten games. Miami posted a straight up mark of 4-6 in these matchups.
• The Rockets have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.

Heat vs Rockets Prediction

Not only do we have the Rockets winning this one by a score of 134-119, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Rockets at -8.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 216.5 and our model has the Heat and Rockets finishing with a combined 253 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.