The Miami Heat (14-15) face the Houston Rockets (9-18) Thursday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Heat vs. Rockets, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-108 Wednesday but they failed to cover as 2.5-point road favorites. Miami has won 3 of its last 4 games.
The Rockets secured a 111-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday to cover as 7-point underdogs at home. Houston has also logged a win in 3 of its last 4 games.
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Heat at Rockets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Heat -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Rockets +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat -3.5 (-115) | Rockets +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Heat at Rockets key injuries
Heat
- Not yet submitted
Rockets
- F Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Heat at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 109, Rockets 103
Moneyline
The odds for the Heat (-160) to win on Thursday are at a point where I’m not confident in taking them to secure a victory, so I’ll PASS on the moneyline. F Jimmy Butler was out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Thunder and it remains to be seen who suits up for Miami Thursday.
Against the spread
Even though I won’t be taking Miami to win straight up, HEAT -3.5 (-115) is an intriguing wager assuming that they have most of their starters available when they release an injury report. If Miami elects to sit a few starters on the 2nd leg of a back-to-back, then proceed with caution when wagering on the spread in this contest.
The Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road meetings against the Rockets and 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings overall.
Over/Under
UNDER 219.5 (-115) is my lean considering how these teams have performed on offense thus far. Besides the Heat playing at the 3rd-slowest pace in the NBA, the Heat and the Rockets are both bottom 5 teams in offensive rating.
The Rockets have hit the Under in 5 of their last 6 games following a win. Meanwhile, the Under is 4-2 in the last 6 meetings between the Heat and the Rockets.
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