The Denver Nuggets (43-19) and Houston Rockets (13-47) meet Tuesday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Rockets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nuggets covered the spread as 4-point home favorites Sunday with a 134-124 overtime win vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. C Nikola Jokić had a triple-double with 40 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists as Denver won for the 5th time in its last 6 games. The Nuggets are 1-6 against the spread (ATS) in their last 7 away games vs. teams with a losing record at home.
The Rockets failed to cover as 9-point underdogs Sunday in a 131-114 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers. F Jae’Sean Tate and C Alperen Şengün both finished with 17 points for the Rockets, who have lost 9 straight games. The Rockets are 6-2 ATS vs. the Nuggets in the last 8 meetings in Houston.
Denver leads the season series 2-0 and the Over is 1-1. The Nuggets covered as 11-point home favorites with a 120-100 win as the Under (230) cashed in the most recent meeting Nov. 30.
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Nuggets at Rockets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -550 (bet $550 to win $100) | Rockets +440 (bet $100 to win $440)
- Against the spread (ATS): -10.5 (-112) | Rockets +10.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Nuggets at Rockets key injuries
Nuggets
- F Aaron Gordon (rib) probable
- G Jamal Murray (back) questionable
Rockets
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) questionable
- F Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 113, Rockets 110
Moneyline
PASS.
The Nuggets (-550) should win, but they are being overvalued on the moneyline. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET ROCKETS +10.5 (-108).
G Jalen Green returning to the lineup should give Houston the extra confidence it needs to stay competitive in this matchup. While the Nuggets are coming off an impressive overtime cover vs. the Clippers, Denver may be due for a letdown after winning such a competitive game against a Western Conference contender and now having to face a team that it has routed in 4 straight games.
The Nuggets have won 9 straight meetings vs. the Rockets and may lack the focus needed to win this game by double digits, especially if Denver is looking ahead to its Friday matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 230.5 (-112).
The Under is 4-0 in Denver’s last 4 away games vs. teams with a losing record at home and 9-2-1 in the Nuggets’ last 12 after scoring more than 125 points in their previous contest. The Under has hit in 19 of Denver’s last 28 games vs. teams with a losing record and is 3-0-1 in Houston’s last 4 vs. teams with a winning percentage above .600.
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