Houston Rockets at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2018

Thursday, December 20, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 3.5 point favorites.

The Rockets have a record of 15-14. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 0 as they average 108.7 points per game while giving up 108.7 per contest. The Heat have an overall mark of 13-16. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They total 106.8 points per contest and give up 107.7, which is a point differential of -0.9.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 12-16-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 15-13-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 15-14-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 15-13-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/17/18 SF PJ Tucker Undisclosed injured last game, is questionable Wednesday vs Washington
12/11/18 SF James Ennis III Hamstring is out indefinitely
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/18/18 PG Goran Dragic Knee is questionable Thursday vs Houston
12/18/18 SF Justise Winslow Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Houston
10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 15.8 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. James Harden averages 31.5 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.2 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Josh Richardson averages 18.6 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Hassan Whiteside averages 13.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 13.3 rebounds per contest and 0.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 47%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 108.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 40.8 rebounds per game and 21.1 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 13.9 per game. The Rockets allow 108.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.7 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 21.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 23rd in the league with 106.8 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -0.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.5 boards per game, and 23rd in assists per contest with 22.7. The Heat are 8th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Heat surrender 107.7 points per contest, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 22.1 assists allowed per contest and 19th with 45.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 26th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Heat are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 108.2, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 9th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Miami +3.5

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