The Heat are riding a four-game winning streak and are the new occupants of first place in the Southeast Division following Sunday’s victory over Atlanta. Miami hits the road again for the 12th time in its last 14 games with a visit to Houston, which has lost three straight.
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TRAVEL
It’s back on the road for the Heat, who played just their second home game since Jan. 6 in Sunday’s win over Atlanta. Another three-game road trip starts Tuesday in Houston with contests in Dallas and Charlotte before a return home for Sunday’s nationally televised matchup with the Clippers. Miami won the final three games on its recent four-game trip then knocked off the Hawks at the AAC to take over first place in the Southeast Division with its first four-game winning streak in two years. The Heat improved to 11-12 SU and 12-11 ATS on the road with their three-game road winning streak and go for the series sweep of the Rockets. Miami was a 109-89 winner over Houston when the teams played in south beach on Nov. 1.
The Rockets had plenty of time to stew over their latest defeat, a 123-122 home loss to the Wizards on Saturday, which extended their losing streak to three, after they had won their previous three. That’s how things have gone for Houston this season. Just when it looks like the Rockets are ready to explode and take off on a streak that would push them up the Western Conference standings, they implode, mainly, Dwight Howard, who was ejected from each of the last two games. It would be nice for the Rockets to have their big man in the lineup if they want to improve their standing in the West. But as we’ve seen, he’s doing more harm than good.
INJURIES
Miami center Hassan Whiteside said he is hopeful of returning from his strained left hip on the three-game road trip, but is unsure of when. Meanwhile, guard Tyler Johnson said he could be out another week, or more, with his strained left shoulder. Additionally, center Chris Anderson remains sidelined with his sore left knee. Whiteside is the only starter among the group.
Dwight Howard injured his shoulder in Saturday’s game with Washington and is questionable to play Tuesday against Miami. Howard has been a monster when on the court, however injuries and ejections have limited his production over the past several games.
KEY MATCHUP
James Harden continues to do his best to keep the Rockets from sliding into obscurity. The Western Conference finalists from a season ago have battled injuries and inconsistent play throughout the first half of the season, even Harden had his ups and downs. But the bearded one is putting up eye-popping numbers – even for his standards – recently. On Saturday, Harden had a monster shooting night making 12 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 9 three-pointers and all 10 free throws, for 40 points. He also added 11 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in 37 minutes in a loss to the Wizards. Harden has now scored 30 or more points in five of his last seven games and is averaging 30.6 points, 9.3 boards, 8.6 assists, 3.3 threes and 1.4 steals over that stretch. Miami’s backcourt will have a tough time keeping up with Harden. While still a fierce defender, Wade has lost a few steps over the years and Goran Dragic simply isn’t quick enough. Harden has carried the Rockets and will continue to do so as long as he’s in a Houston uniform.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Heat started to get some bodies back in the lineup and the wins followed. Dragic returned for a win over Milwaukee and Beno Udrih also got back in the rotation to help take some of the load off Dwyane Wade and his sore shoulders. Those three were exceptional in Sunday’s win over Atlanta and will need to be again on the road against Harden and Co. The Heat did a nice job defensively against Harden and the Rockets in an early-season win, holding Houston to 89 points, but Miami will likely be without Hassan Whiteside, who clogs up the middle and blocks anything that comes in the paint. If Whiteside isn’t playing, watch for Harden to take his defender off the dribble and penetrate the lane to get either a high-percentage shot or a trip to the foul line. If the Rockets can execute and hit the three-pointer, this NBA game has an excellent chance of going over the total because Houston has no clue on defense. The Rockets give up over 106 points per game and wily veterans Wade and Chris Bosh will exploit that weakness. Stopping Harden is another question.
Houston 118, Miami 110
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