Heat Will Keep Rockets Grounded in Houston
Heat vs Rockets Odds Trending Toward Visitors
The Rockets are chasing the 10th seed right now, a goal that seemed more reachable before their home loss to the Warriors. They now are four games in the loss column behind the Warriors, with few opportunities to make up for lost ground. The Heat, on the other hand, have a lot to be hopeful for.
Miami is currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, tied in losses with the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers. It will try their hardest to jump the Pacers and avoid the Play-In Tournament. The Heat vs Rockets odds opened at Heat -1 with a total of 214.5. These have since moved to Heat -2.5 and 215 points.
We look at these NBA spreads, NBA games tomorrow, and NBA starting lineups for possible prop bets.
Heat vs Rockets 
Records: Heat (42-34), Rockets (38-38)
Day/Time:
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Streaming: NBA League Pass, Space City Home Network, Bally Sports Sun
Rockets Have Landed
The Rockets started the NBA season hot and cold then went on an 11-game winning streak before a three-game skid. Their season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. But things are generally looking positive for Rockets fans.
Alperen Sengun (out indefinitely with an ankle injury) looks like a potential franchise player while the acquisition of veteran guard Fred VanVleet has brought maturity to a youthful squad. Also, number-two overall pick, Jalen Green, has gone on a recent hot streak.
He has averaged 28.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his last ten games. This is a great improvement from his season averages of 19.9, 5.1, and 3.5. Green’s emergence has coincided with the NBA injury to Sengun. But it shows that the Rockets may have a second star to pair with their Turkish big.
Green has been on a prop bet tear as well. The oddsmakers do not seem to adjust to his recent offensive explosion. Green has hit the over on his points prop in eight of his last ten NBA games. He went over his assist props five games in a row and has also cashed his rebounds over in four of his last six games.
However, Green has only had 12 and 13 points in two of his last three games. The Heat’s defense is prime to give him a tough time Friday night so keep this in mind when betting the Heat vs Rockets odds.
Heat Will Move On Quickly
The Heat are doing what they do best: surviving. Everyone believes the Heat only need to make the NBA playoffs and they can make another run to the NBA Finals. They are coming off a tough loss Thursday against the 76ers.
Despite leading late in the fourth quarter, Miami couldn’t hold off Philadelphia’s late surge. The Heat gave up big runs throughout the night, including a decisive 15-3 stretch by the Sixers in the final frame.
Coach Spoelstra and the team acknowledged the importance of every game at this point in the season. He vowed to focus on the next one. The Heat will come into Friday’s game with a certain level of desperation.
The Heat’s addition of Terry Rozier is starting to pay dividends. They hope this continues as he has averaged 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over his last ten games. Rozier has hit the over on his points prop for four games in a row.
Back-to-Back Blues
The Heat vs Rockets odds are trending for Miami at -2.5 with a total of 215. Much of the Rocket’s recent winning streak has been against weaker NBA teams, and since the competition has heated up, they’ve started to fall short. The Heat are one of the stronger teams they’ve faced in this last stretch, and Houston will have their work cut out for them on Friday.
Both teams are coming off losses on Thursday, and the back-to-back will be a factor on Friday. The Rockets are 7-4-1 against the spread on the back end of a back-to-back, and the Heat are 5-5-1.
The Heat being a team generally composed of veterans, there is a chance they don’t have a full squad on Friday, but if they do we like their chances on the road.
The Heat are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last ten games, and the Rockets are 7-3. The Rockets are only 1-3 in their last four games ATS. They appear to be trending down, especially after their deflating loss to the Warriors, who they were chasing for the last Play-In spot.
For NBA betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
