The Denver Nuggets (17-16) travel to Toyota Center Saturday to take on the Houston Rockets (10-26). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Nuggets were able to get a little extra rest after not being able to field a team and having their game against the Warriors canceled Thursday.
MVP Nikola Jokic is expected to play. Denver has largely disappointed with a straight-up record barely over .500 and a mere 14-19 ATS record. The Nuggets have scored the 23rd-most points per game, a stark difference from a season ago.
The Rockets are a relatively odd team. They started the season 1-16 then went on a seven-game win streak but are 2-10 since. Houston is 16-19-1 ATS this season and ranks 28th in net rating (minus-7.5).
Nuggets at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:42 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nuggets -290 (bet $290 to win $100) | Rockets +225 (bet $100 to win $225)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -6.5 (-112) | Rockets +6.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Nuggets at Rockets key injuries
Nuggets
- F Jeff Green (Health and Safety Protocols) out
- G Monte Morris (Health and Safety Protocols) out
- F Aaron Gordon (hamstring) questionable
- F Michael Porter Jr. (spine) out
Rockets (not officially submitted)
- C Alperen Sengun (ankle) questionable
- G D.J. Augustin (health and safety protocols) out
- G Garrison Matthews (health and safety protocols) out
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Nuggets at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 112, Nuggets 108
Money line
SPRINKLE on the ROCKETS (+225). The Rockets may have just 10 wins on the season, but seven of those are at home. They’re 7-9 at home this season.
Similarly, the Nuggets have a strong home-court advantage but are just 9-10 on the road. They have a negative net rating (minus-0.5) which indicates their record doesn’t quite reflect their level of play.
This could be a good spot to bet on Houston with C Christian Wood able to spread the court from the five and a plethora of quick guards to help double down on Jokic.
Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS +6.5 (-108).
The Nuggets have not been good at covering this season, and it gets even worse when they’re road favorites where they’re 2-6 ATS.
Potentially down a key scorer in Gordon and already down two of their best three players along with their backup point guard and veteran backup forward being sidelined, I’ll stick with the healthier side.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 223.5 (-107).
The Nuggets offense just isn’t there and the Rockets are one of the league’s most turnover-prone teams, ranking dead last in turnover rate.
Denver plays at the sixth-slowest pace in the NBA. They aren’t going to run on Houston turnovers which should slow this game and give the Under the advantage.
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