Denver Nuggets (24-15) vs Houston Rockets (26-12)
Game Info: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 9:00 pm (Ball Arena)
Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets +1.5 -- Over/Under: 231.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
The Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Ball Arena. Here’s a Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets beat the Grizzlies and Wizards, and they play the Kings, Trail Blazers, and Pistons next. The Houston Rockets are averaging 113.3 points on 44.5 percent shooting and allowing 107.3 points on 44.7 percent shooting. Jalen Green is averaging 21 points and 4.4 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds. Fred VanVleet is the third double-digit scorer and Dillon Brooks is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 33.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free-throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.6 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Mavs and Nets, and they play the Heat, Magic, and 76ers next. The Denver Nuggets are averaging 120.4 points on 49.9 percent shooting and allowing 116.1 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 31.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 19 points and 3.9 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Aaron Gordon is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 35.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 11 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Rockets have lost eight of their last nine night games at Ball Arena.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games at Ball Arena.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last seven games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Nuggets have lost 17 of their last 21 games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
- The road team has covered the spread in nine of the Rockets' last 10 games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five night games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assists per game (9.9) this season.
- Jamal Murray ranks 12th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Jalen Green ranks 7th in the league for fast break points (148) this season.
- Fred VanVleet ranks 7th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.1).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (45.1).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (73.6%).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (93.6).
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Injury Report
The Houston Rockets will be without Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.
The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II and Vlatko Cancar.
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
We've backed the Houston Rockets a lot this season, and they probably should have the edge with the rest advantage. However, you rarely get the Denver Nuggets as a home dog, and here they are as a home dog. In fact, this will be just the 12th time since April 2022 when the Nuggets are a home underdog. The Nuggets are 8-2 SU and ATS in their last 10 games, easily their best stretch of the season. Again, the Rockets probably should be favored, but the value is with the Nuggets. The Nuggets are playing their best ball and are rarely home dogs. I have to grab the bucket with the Nuggets.
Randy’s Pick Denver Nuggets +1.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
