The Miami Heat continue to struggle with consistency and injuries on the season despite a few big wins to their resume. The return of Chris Bosh has not been enough to give the team a needed push as they are just 3-7 in their last ten games while currently on a three-game win streak. The Houston Rockets are seeing struggles of their own despite the addition of Josh Smith. Being 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Rockets have lost six of their last nine games. Now both teams aim to get back on track on Saturday.
Defense has been a big issue for the Rockets despite their success earlier in the year. When they started 19-5, the team was giving up an average of 95.9 points per game. However, over the past five games, opponents are putting up 103.8 points on the Rockets. They have allowed three straight opponents to put up 100 points. They were able to hold Charlotte to just 38.2 percent shooting an 83 points, but New Orleans came back with 111 points on 53.0 percent shooting.
The Rockets offense has also suffered inconsistencies. They shot just 39.8 percent while going 6 of 29 from long range. James Harden went just 1 for 6 on Friday while putting up just 11 points. He was coming off a five-game stretch of going 20 for 38 from beyond the arc. Miami might be the team to get back on track on both sides of the ball. Dwight Howard is currently averaging 23.0 points against Miami.
Miami is starting the year off with a losing record as they get close to suffering their first four-game losing streak. The fell to the Indiana Pacers on New Year's Eve, letting the opponent go 10 for 18 from long range. During the losing streak they are letting opponents shoot 47.5 from the 3-point line. Bosh's return is not helping. He has 38 points and 16 rebounds in the two games back since missing eight for a calf injury.
