The young and rebuilding Houston Rockets are coming off consecutive losses to two of the Western Conference’s top four teams by record (Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers), and the schedule doesn’t get any easier with Saturday’s visit to Denver — another top-four squad.
The Nuggets (39-20) routed the Rockets (15-45) just eight days ago in Houston. In that game, All-Star center Nikola Jokic bolstered his MVP case by recording 29 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists in just 27 minutes played. On Saturday, he’ll try to repeat the feat at high altitude.
Both teams could be weary and jetlagged in Saturday’s rematch, since they’re each on a back-to-back in two different time zones. Denver played at Golden State late Friday, while the Rockets hosted the Clippers. Houston will likely be without veteran floor general John Wall, since he played Friday and typically rests one game in back-to-back scenarios.
In addition, Christian Wood expressed skepticism after Friday’s loss regarding his potential availability in Denver. Wood has dealt with nagging ankle and leg injuries throughout the 2020-21 season.
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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Nuggets -13.5
- Money line: Nuggets -900 / Rockets +600
- Over-under: 220.5
- Player scoring props: Nikola Jokic 25.5, Michael Porter Jr. 21.5, Aaron Gordon 12.5, Facundo Campazzo 8.5; Houston TBD
Place your legal, online sports bets in VA, CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.
Since both teams played Friday night, neither team is required to issue an official injury report until midday Saturday. However, Houston’s should be quite long, as usual. Based on prior reports, Wall, Wood, Kevin Porter Jr. (health and safety protocols) DJ Augustin (left ankle), Sterling Brown (left knee), Dante Exum (right calf), Eric Gordon (right groin), David Nwaba (right wrist) are all expected to be out. Avery Bradley (illness) sat out Friday, and his status for Saturday is unclear.
Denver’s injury report on Friday was much less extensive, with only two players listed on it. However, one of those is star guard Jamal Murray, who is out for the 2020-21 season with a torn left ACL. Monte Morris was also out due to a right hamstring strain. Will Barton is likely unavailable, as well, since he suffered his own hamstring injury on Friday.
My guess at a #Rockets starting lineup and rotation tonight:
Brooks, House, Tate, Martin, Olynyk as starters, with Tate as primary ballhandler. DJ Wilson, DaQuan Jeffries, and Anthony Lamb as the only reserves. Eight active players, unless Avery Bradley recovers from his illness https://t.co/3gQ7209dGy
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 24, 2021
Advice and prediction
The Nuggets should win Saturday’s game, since they’re clearly the better team. However, the margin is hard to project, given the fatigue and injury issues. The best play might be the under, since both teams are short-handed and likely to run into tired legs on second-half jump shots.
Prediction: Nuggets 112, Rockets 97
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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