The Houston Rockets (25-22) will be at home when they play the Miami Heat (25-21). Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 2 and can be seen on NBA, RSW and SUN.
The Rockets enter this game hoping for similar success after barely hanging on to beat the Pelicans 112-111 in their last matchup. James Harden played a pivotal role, recording his 11th double-double of the season with 35 points and 11 rebounds. The Heat, meanwhile, are coming off a 102-98 win against the Nets in their last game. Dwyane Wade was the game’s top scorer, registering 27 points on 11-for-22 shooting.
Harden and Trevor Ariza have been better than usual over the last five games for the Rockets. During that stretch, Harden has averaged 28.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.2 three-pointers, while Ariza has recorded 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 4.4 three-pointers a game.
Keep tabs on Houston’s ability to get to the free throw line. They’re ranked first in the NBA in free throw attempt rate (34.6), but Miami is among the best in the league at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking second by yielding a free throw attempt rate of 23.3).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Heat winning the first matchup 109-89. Hassan Whiteside put up a double-double in the victory with 25 points and 15 rebounds.
The Rockets are a five-point favorite against Miami and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 204 points. The Rockets have gone 25-25 Straight Up (SU) and 20-29-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 7-11 SU and 5-13 ATS against the Eastern Conference. Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.4 points per game.
Over on the other bench, the Heat have a record of 24-23-1 ATS and 27-21 SU. Against the Western Conference, Miami is 12-6 SU and 10-7-1 ATS. Blocking shots is an area where Miami has excelled. The Heat average 6.5 blocks per game, making them one of the best in the league. One advantage for the Heat could be Houston’s high fouls per game average of 22.8.
In their previous meeting this season, Miami beat Houston, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 7-3. With a 6-4 record, the Rockets have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, ATS Winner – Mia, O/U – Under
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston’s last 10 games at home.
Houston is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home.
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Houston is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing at home against Miami.
Houston averages 105.1 points per game (ranked fourth). However, Miami has allowed an average of just 95.6 points per game (ranked second).
Houston ranks eighth in the league with 105.2 points per home game. Miami gives up just 96.0 points per away game (ranked third).
The Houston Rockets have a winning record (11-2) when their opponents score fewer than 100 points this season. The Miami Heat are 12-18 when they don’t hit triple digits.
When the Houston Rockets allow at least 100 points they are 14-20, while the Miami Heat are 13-3 when they register triple digits.
The Rockets have an offensive rating of 105.1 (ranked seventh). The Heat rank sixth for their defensive rating of 100.8.
The Houston Rockets average 99.8 possessions and 1.051 points per possession in games this season. The Miami Heat average fewer possessions with 93.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.023.
Houston is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 51.2% (ranked seventh in the NBA). Miami is a subpar 6-12 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Houston makes an average of 21.6 assists per game (ranked 17th), while Miami makes 20.0 assists per game (ranked 26th).
Miami ranks near the top of the league in blocking at second (6.5 blocks per game). Houston is ranked 13th, with 5.1 blocks per game.
Houston is ranked ninth in offensive rebounding. Miami ranks 11th in defensive rebounds.
Houston averages 9.8 steals per game, ranking first in the league. Miami is a losing 4-10 when it allows at least 9 steals.
