The Miami Heat and Houston Rockets cross swords in a regular-season game at the Toyota Center on Saturday, with tipoff at 8 p.m. ET. It is the second meeting between the two teams, with the Heat recording a 125-115 win in the season’s first matchup on Feb. 28.
The Heat have lost three successive games and are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 38-32 record. Meanwhile, the Rockets are in fourth place in the West with a 42-27 record.
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Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction
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Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets Betting Tips and Odds
Moneyline: Heat (+106), Rockets (-124)
Spread: Heat +1.5 (-120), Rockets -1.5 (+100)
Total over/under o/u: Heat o224.5 (-111), Rockets u224.5 (-111)
Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.
Betting Tips
- Bam Adebayo is expected to score over 20.5 points.
- Kevin Durant is expected to score over 26.5 points.
- Tyler Herro is expected to make over 3.5 3-pointers.
Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets Preview
The Heat was undone by a Luka Doncic masterclass, as Miami fell to a 134-126 loss at home. The Heat’s defense went awol as Doncic scored 60 points and LeBron James recorded a triple-double. For Miami, Bam Adebayo had 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyler Herro chipped in with 21 points.
Norman Powell and Kel’el Ware were impressive off the bench, with Powell scoring 20 points and Ware missing out on a double-double by a solitary rebound. Miami will have to put in a much better defensive performance if it wishes to end its losing streak against Houston.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are playing on the back end of a back-to-back, having suffered a 117-95 loss against the Atlanta Hawks. Kevin Durant finally found his rhythm after back-to-back poor performances against the LA Lakers. The two-time NBA champion scored 25 points on 15 shots, while contributing handsomely with two steals and two blocks on the defensive end of the floor.
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 23 points on 14 shots and missed out on a double-double by a solitary rebound. Alperen Sengun was superb as well, as he finished one rebound shy of a triple-double. Reed Sheppard replaced struggling Tari Eason in the starting lineup, and the young guard impressed with his hustle and 3-point shooting.
Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets Starting Lineups Tonight
Miami Heat starting lineup
PG: Davion Mitchell, SG: Tyler Herro, SF: Simone Fontecchio, PF: Pelle Larsson, C: Bam Adebayo.
Houston Rockets starting lineup
PG: Amen Thompson, SG: Reed Sheppard, SF: Jabari Smith Jr., PF: Kevin Durant, C: Alperen Sengun.
Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets Prediction
The Rockets seemed to have regained their joy after a complete team win on Friday. Expect Houston to build on that momentum with a competitive win over the Heat.
Final score prediction: Rockets win 114-110.
Edited by Atishay Jain
