Heat vs Rockets Odds, Pick, Prediction | NBA Betting Preview (Friday, April 5)

Here's everything you need to know about Heat vs. Rockets on Friday, April 5 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game.

Read below for the latest NBA odds and my pick for Heat vs. Rockets tonight.

Tyler Herro is expected to be back! I think this is game-changing for the Miami Heat who are desperately missing someone who can provide floor spacing and create some offense for himself and others.

Herro is going to be a phenomenal fit in his return to a Miami team that has added Terry Rozier and developed Jacquez Jr. and Highsmith into valuable role players.

The Heat are on the second leg of a back to back tonight, after losing one late in the fourth quarter to the Joel Embiid led 76ers.

While the Heat may have tired legs and go on the road, they have to play hard and Miami prioritizes fitness and will play zone defense, slow the game down, and force the Rockets to operate in half court and make their shots.

I think the under is a great spot here, but I will explain in the market analysis section how to properly time the line for the best number.

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The Houston Rockets are gunning for the 10th seed in the Western Conference but took a tough blow losing to the Warriors, their direct competitor for that last play in spot on Thursday night.

This young team will have to rebound and regroup for the next game, which is going to be the most important of the season.

I expect gritty defense, a vocal effort from Dillon Brooks, veterans to play higher minutes, a slow pace and an under game.

The Rockets have come out playing fast without Sengun, but Miami will put them into a zone and slow it down. I expect Ime Udokah to do something similar with his defensive coaching prowess.

The situational context to this game is very important to understand. Both teams are coming into this game on the second leg of a back to back, which may lead to worse shooting efficiency and tired legs.

Both teams desperately need wins at this time of year, I expect both teams to rely on veterans with increased minutes, deploying a zone defense at times, and half court slow paced sets.

The last important component is getting the best number.

Shams Charania reported Tyler Herro could return Friday against Houston, and if Herro is activated, this total will bounce up a point or so.

I want to wait on word about Herro's status from shootaround and watch the number rise a bit before playing the under. It will not be sharp action on the under, it will be an injury repricing. It is not being contrarian, it is waiting for the best line.

I expect the line to raise when Herro is activated, but ultimately close back down at this 214.5. If we can find a 215.5 or 216 by timing this right, all the more power to us.

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