Rockets vs. Heat Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 15 (Miami's Defense Stifles Houston)

Rockets vs. Heat Game Info

• Date: Thursday, December 15, 2022
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Toyota Center -- Houston, Texas
• Coverage: BSSUN and SportsNet SW

The Miami Heat continue their road trip on Thursday with their third road game in four days against the Houston Rockets. The Heat are 2-0 to start their trip after taking down the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, but they'll be on the second night of a back-to-back.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are also on a bit of a winning streak after upsetting the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns to begin their homestand, making Houston a live dog on Thursday.

Rockets vs. Heat Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: MIA: (-166) | HOU: (+140)
• Spread: MIA: -4 (-108) | HOU: +4 (-112)
• Total: 218 -- Over: (-108) | Under: (-112)

Despite Houston's recent strong play, Miami is still favored on the spread and moneyline as the away team. This game also features the second-lowest total on Thursday's slate with 218 total points.

Rockets vs. Heat Betting Trends

• The Heat put together a 45-35-2 record against the spread last season.
• Against the spread, as underdogs of 2.5 points or more, the Rockets went 29-42-3 last season.
• Last season, 46 Heat games hit the over.
• Out of 82 Rockets games last year, 44 went over the total.

Rockets vs. Heat Prediction & Pick

The Rockets have come alive since their slow start, going 6-4 over their last 10 games. They've beaten some impressive teams during that run, too, including the Suns (twice), Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.

That said, Houston has still lost twice as many games (18) as it has won (9) and ranks as one of the worst teams in the league on both ends of the court. The Rockets are 26th in offensive rating and 27th in defensive rating, which is not a recipe for success.

Miami, on the other hand, is coming into this game hot after winning three of its last four. The Heat are also a poor offensive team but compensate with their elite defense, which ranks fifth in fewest points allowed and seventh in defensive rating.

Expect that defense to clamp down on Houston and propel Miami to victory.

Final Score Prediction: Heat: 112 | Rockets: 105

Rockets vs. Heat Best Bet

Both of these offenses are terrible, Miami's defense is excellent and the Heat will be tired in their second game in as many days, forcing them to slow down their pace even more than usual (they already rank 27th). All of those factors point to the under hitting in what should be a low-scoring affair.

Bet: Under 218 Total Points (-112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.