Through 3 Quarters
Only one more quarter stands between the Miami Heat and the win they were favored to collect going into this night. Three quarters in and their offense has really been able to impose its will, dominating the Houston Rockets 100-89.
Miami has been led by small forward Jimmy Butler, who so far has 27 points. A double-double would be Jimmy G Buckets’ third in a row. One thing to keep an eye out for is Omer Yurtseven’s foul situation as he currently sits at four.
Power forward Christian Wood (16 points), small forward Jae’Sean Tate (15 points), and shooting guard Jalen Green (14 points) have been the top scorers for Houston. Jalen Green has also picked up four fouls, though.
the Rockets have lost 91% of the time when they were down heading into the fourth quarter this season, so this one seems just about wrapped up
Who’s Playing
Miami @ Houston
Current Records: Miami 22-13; Houston 10-25
What to Know
The Miami Heat have enjoyed the comforts of home their last four games, but now they must head out on the road. After a few days’ rest for both teams, they and the Houston Rockets will meet up at 7 p.m. ET Dec. 31 at Toyota Center. Miami will be strutting in after a win while Houston will be stumbling in from a loss.
The Heat beat the Washington Wizards 119-112 on Tuesday. Point guard Tyler Herro (32 points) was the top scorer for Miami. Herro hadn’t helped his team much against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, so this was a nice turnaround for him. Tyler Herro’s points were the most he has had all season.
Meanwhile, Houston came up short against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, falling 132-123. Despite their defeat, Houston got to see several of their players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. power forward Christian Wood, who had 22 points along with six rebounds, was the best among equals.
The Heat are the favorite in this one, with an expected 5.5-point margin of victory. They have failed bettors playing the spread in their past three games, so buyers beware.
Miami is now 22-13 while the Rockets sit at 10-25. A pair of defensive stats to keep an eye on: Miami ranks third in the league when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 103.4 on average. On the other end of the spectrum, Houston is stumbling into the matchup with the second most points allowed per game in the league, having given up 114.8 on average. So the cards are definitely stacked against Houston.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas
- TV: ATTSN Southwest
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $24.25
Odds
The Heat are a solid 5.5-point favorite against the Rockets, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Heat as a 4.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Miami have won seven out of their last 12 games against Houston.
- Apr 19, 2021 – Miami 113 vs. Houston 91
- Feb 11, 2021 – Miami 101 vs. Houston 94
- Nov 27, 2019 – Houston 117 vs. Miami 108
- Nov 03, 2019 – Miami 129 vs. Houston 100
- Feb 28, 2019 – Houston 121 vs. Miami 118
- Dec 20, 2018 – Miami 101 vs. Houston 99
- Feb 07, 2018 – Houston 109 vs. Miami 101
- Jan 22, 2018 – Houston 99 vs. Miami 90
- Feb 15, 2017 – Miami 117 vs. Houston 109
- Jan 17, 2017 – Miami 109 vs. Houston 103
- Feb 02, 2016 – Houston 115 vs. Miami 102
- Nov 01, 2015 – Miami 109 vs. Houston 89
Injury Report for Houston
- Kenyon Martin Jr.: Game-Time Decision (Covid-19)
- D.J. Augustin: Out (Covid-19)
- DeJon Jarreau: Out (Covid-19)
- Garrison Mathews: Out (Covid-19)
- John Wall: Out (Not Injury Related)
Injury Report for Miami
- Markieff Morris: Out (Neck)
- Dewayne Dedmon: Out (Knee)
- KZ Okpala: Out (Wrist)
- Udonis Haslem: Out (Covid-19)
- Max Strus: Out (Covid-19)
- P.J. Tucker: Out (Covid-19)
- Zylan Cheatham: Out (Covid-19)
- Gabe Vincent: Out (Covid-19)
- Duncan Robinson: Out (Covid-19)
- Marcus Garrett: Out (Covid-19)
- Bam Adebayo: Out (Thumb)
- Victor Oladipo: Out (Quadriceps)
