The Denver Nuggets travel to the Toyota Center to battle the Houston Rockets on Friday night. Here’s a Rockets vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have been in terrific form as they’ve won 11 of their first 14 games of the season and they will be eager to keep it going after running past the Pelicans in a 125-118 road win on Wednesday. Peyton Watson led the team with 32 points and 12 rebounds on 13 of 19 shooting, Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double of 28 points with 11 rebounds and 12 assists while Jamal Murray chipped in with 16 points and eight assists.
As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 55 percent from the field and 11 of 31 from the 3-point line as they poured in 36 points in the second quarter to take a narrow lead into halftime. Before they went on another run late in the third quarter to lead by as many as 19 points after trailing by 13 points in the first quarter.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been on fire as they’ve reeled off 10 wins from their past 11 games and they will be eager to build on their current five-game win streak after beating the Cavaliers in a 114-104 road win on Wednesday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists on 10 of 17 shooting, Kevin Durant added 20 points, Aaron Holiday scored 18 points off the bench while Amen Thompson tallied 12 points with nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.
As a team, the Rockets shot 46 percent from the field and nine of 24 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Cavaliers from the start. They looked to be in control when they dominated the first half to take a 22-point lead. Before they survived a late rally from the Cavaliers who cut their lead to just one point at one stage.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Nuggets have lost 17 of their last 18 games as road underdogs against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have won 10 of their last 11 games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in 16 of their last 17 games as road underdogs against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites against the Nuggets.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight road games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last nine home games following a road win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last 14 games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Nuggets’ last five games against the Rockets following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Alperen Sengun ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (44.7%) this season.
- Kevin Durant ranks 17th amongst qualified players for points per game (25.5) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (11.1) this season.
- Jamal Murray ranks 10th amongst qualified players for FT% (92.7%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (50.3).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (37.9).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (124.6).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (31.2%).
Rockets vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still slightly shorthanded with Julian Strawther and Christian Braun both out, while the Rockets are keeping eyes on Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr who are both questionable. The Nuggets are coming into game with plenty of momentum; they have won five of their seven road games and Jokic has been in sensational form.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are emerging as serious contenders, as they’ve barely missed a step all season and just took down the Cavaliers in their last outing. You can make an argument for either side here, but the Nuggets are playing great basketball at the moment and I can’t resist them as underdogs at the moment.