Rockets vs. Heat game preview: yet another nationally televised game that Houston will lose

The Rockets finally return home, but they are on a 3-game losing streak.

The Miami Heat come in on a 3-game winning streak.

Six of Houston’s last seven games came on the road, and after tonight the Rockets head back to the East coast for a three game road trip. With the injury to Christian Wood and the inability to play John Wall and Victor Oladipo in back-to-backs, a heavy schedule has absolutely decimated Houston’s chances at making a real run.

The Heat have gotten off to a slow start this season, through little fault of their own. The team has lost most of their rotation pieces to injuries or COVID protocols. Now they’ve got COVID-sniffing dogs, which are both adorable and cool. Alas, tonight’s game is at Toyota Center so the canines will have to wait.

These teams are linked through Miami’s first round pick. Since Houston gets the worst pick among OKC’s, Miami’s, and their own, the likely pick is Miami’s despite the slow start. The Rockets can also swap that pick with Brooklyn’s, so Houston fans should either be rooting for Miami to be absolutely terrible (unlikely) or to be better than the Nets (also unlikely, but less so). A win tonight does help Houston though.

Houston will be without Wood tonight. Miami will be missing Goran Dragic (ankle), Avery Bradley (calf), Chris Silva (hip), and Meyers Leonard (out for the season after shoulder surgery). Gabe Vincent is probable and Maurice Harkless is questionable.

Tip-off is at 6:30pm CT on TNT