Nuggets vs Rockets 2020 NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction.

Nuggets vs Rockets 2020 NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction

Written by on January 22, 2020

Good matchup between Western Conference playoff teams on Wednesday night when the Denver Nuggets visit the Houston Rockets. It was originally scheduled to be on ESPN, but the network bumped it to pick up Spurs-Pelicans and Zion Williamson’s NBA debut. The Rockets are favored on the Mybookie NBA odds here.

How to Bet Nuggets vs Rockets NBA Odds & TV Info

Nuggets vs Rockets Season Series

They have split two games, each winning at home. The Rockets are averaging 112.5 ppg (47.9% FGs) while Nuggets are averaging 104.5 (46.6% FGs). Houston has 39 assists with 36 turnovers. It is averaging 5.5 more 3-point made field goals and outshooting Denver 38.9% to 32.7% from 3-point range.

James Harden is averaging 31.0 points in the two, shooting 54.5 percent from the field. The Rockets’ current seven-game home winning streak is their longest in all-time series. Denver has only won one of the past six season series (3-0 in 2015-16).

Why Bet on Denver?

The Nuggets started a three-game trip with a 107-100 victory at Minnesota on Jan. 20. The Nuggets again had three of their top five scorers absent — Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Gary Harris Jr. The Timberwolves surrendered 50 points in the paint and were outrebounded 40-31.

Millsap (sprained/bruised left knee) missed his seventh straight game. Harris (strained right adductor muscle) was out for the fourth consecutive game. Murray (sprained left ankle) was sidelined for the third game in a row. Backup center Mason Plumlee briefly joined the injured crew in the second quarter when he rolled his right ankle. He returned in the third.

Rookie Michael Porter Jr. came off the bench and hit 7-of-12 shots, four 3-pointers and both of his free throws for 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a block in 30 minutes. The rebounds were easily a career high and he’s hit double figures in scoring in five straight games. With so many injuries on the team, the Nugs are giving Porter a long look. In the past 12 games, he is averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 62.0% from the field and 43.8% from three in 19.8 minutes.

Monte Morris started in place of Murray and hit 4-of-12 shots for eight points, four rebounds, eight assists and a steal with zero turnovers in 36 minutes. Jerami Grant started for Millsap and had 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Nikola Jokic had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets.

Denver has gone 10-25 in the last 35 road games against the Rockets since the 2001-02 season, but have won five out of the last 16 in Houston. Denver has played more overtime games against Houston than any other franchise in the NBA (14).

Team Stats

Offense
  • Total Score: 109.35
  • Field Goal Percentage: 46.30
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.61
  • Free Throw Percentage: 76.81
  • Total Rebounds: 44.74

Defense

  • Total Score: 105.60
  • Field Goal Percentage: 45.38
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33.15
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.94
  • Total Rebounds: 43.35

Why Bet on Houston?

The Rockets dropped their fourth in a row Monday, 112-107 vs. Oklahoma City – three of the four losses have been at home. Former Rocket Chris Paul scored 28 points and Danilo Gallinari added 25 as the Thunder rallied from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat cold-shooting James Harden and Houston.

Harden spent about 25 minutes on the court after the game doing some shooting. The former MVP scored 29 points but went 1 of 17 from 3-point range in a shockingly inefficient performance. According to Basketball Reference, that’s the worst single-game three-point percentage for a player who has attempted at least 12 3-pointers. Harden, who still leads the NBA in scoring by a significant margin, was able to get close to the 30-point mark thanks to the foul line. Since shooting 50.0% or better from the floor in a career-high 7 straight games from 12/19-1/3 (55.4% FGs, 51.2% 3FGs), he is shooting 33.1% (23.1% 3FGs) over his past 7 games played.

Westbrook Magic

Russell Westbrook finished Monday’s loss to the Thunder with 32 points (16-of-24 FGs), 11 rebounds, 12 assists and two steals in 38 minutes. In addition to the triple-double he turned the ball over just three times. In January he’s shooting 50.9 percent from the field, but that hasn’t guaranteed team success. Westbrook has shot 50 percent or better in four games this month, but Houston has lost each of those games.

Nuggets vs Rockets should be a close one.

Westbrook joined LeBron James as the only players to have a triple-double against all 30 current NBA teams. Monday was Westbrook’s eighth of the season, 146th of his career and the 42nd time he’s had a triple-double in a 30-point game. Westbrook has recorded 30+ points and 10+ assists in three of his past four games played after doing so once prior this season.

Clint Capela played just 25 minutes in Monday’s loss, accounting for 12 points (6-of-7 FGs), seven rebounds and one blocked shot. He’s averaging 15.4 points and 2.2 blocks in wins this season compared to 12.9 ppg and 1.1 bpg in losses.

Austin Rivers missed a second straight game with a right thumb injury. He said he is feeling better and expects to return on Wednesday.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Total Score: 118.33
  • Field Goal Percentage: 45.25
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.45
  • Free Throw Percentage: 77.97
  • Total Rebounds: 47.19

Defense

  • Total Score: 114.19
  • Field Goal Percentage: 45.56
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.57
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.62
  • Total Rebounds: 46.57

Nuggets vs Rockets 2020 NBA Betting Trends

  • Rockets are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games at home
  • Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games this season
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 games played in January
  • Nuggets are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
  • Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against Houston
  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Denver’s last 10 games played on a Wednesday

Expert Prediction for Nuggets vs Rockets

Denver Nuggets 111 – Houston Rockets 114