Rockets vs. Nuggets Prediction
After stunning the Warriors last night as a double-digit underdog, will the Rockets cover again tonight when they visit the Nuggets at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Nuggets are 3.5-point home favorites versus the Rockets after opening as a 1-point favorite. As for the total, the number currently sits at 219 after hitting the board at 222.5.
ROCKETS KEY TRENDS: The Rockets are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight road games, are 8-2 against the number in their last 10 games overall and are 6-0 at the betting window in their last six road games versus an opponent with a home winning percentage of less than .400. They’re also 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. (Houston beat Golden State on Thursday night, 132-127.)
NUGGETS KEY TRENDS: The Nuggets are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games versus a team with a winning record and are 4-1 against the number in their last five games following a win. They’re also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games playing on one day of rest and are 6-2 against the number in their last eight games coming off an ATS loss.
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OUR PREDICTION: The Rockets have struggled mightily in the Mile High City, going 2-6 at the betting window in their last eight games in Denver and are 5-12 against the spread in their last 17 games overall versus the Nuggets. That said, Houston has been one of the better underdog teams in the league to start the season, going 6-2 against the spread as a dog this season and winning by an average margin of 0.4 points per game in those eight contests. As a home favorite, the Nuggets are 2-2 against the spread, winning by just 2.8 points per game. Thus, even if Houston loses coming off that big win in Oakland last night, the Rockets are still a great value at +3.5.
FRIDAY NBA FREE PICK: HOUSTON ROCKETS +3.5