Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets, 12/31/19 Predictions & Odds

Nuggets vs. Rockets Prediction

Will the Houston Rockets be able to hold off the Denver Nuggets when the two meet up tonight at 7PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

533 Denver Nuggets vs. 534 Houston Rockets

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

7PM ET – Toyota Center

TV: NBA TV

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Public Betting Trends

According to the latest oddsmakers, the Rockets are the slim favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -1 point against the Nuggets. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 219.5 points. The public betting currently is unavailable for this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Nuggets heating up

Denver is coming off a 120-115 win over Sacramento on Sunday for a ninth victory in its last 10 games. The Nuggets are 23-9 on the season, 8-5 on the road, 12-16-4 against the spread and 19-13 with the under.

The Nuggets are the NBA’s top defense, allowing just 103.1 points per game while holding opponents to 44.5 percent shooting from the field and 31.4 percent from the arc. Defensively, Denver is giving up 108.3 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field. The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 18 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Jamal Murray adds 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Rockets beat up

Houston is coming off a 127-112 loss at New Orleans on Sunday as the Rockets were without James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela due to injuries/rest. Houston is now 22-11 on the season, 11-4 at home, 16-17 against the spread and 19-14 with the under.

The Rockets are one of the top offenses in the NBA this season, averaging 119.1 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field. Defensively, Houston is giving up 114.3 points per game while opponents shoot 45.9 percent from the field. While Harden (toe) and Capela (heel) are both questionable for tonight’s game, Westbrook will play tonight. Harden averages 38.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Capela adds 13.9 points and 14.4 rebounds per game. Westbrook is averaging 24.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Denver

The Nuggets are 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five road games and 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games following a win.

Houston

The Rockets are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games as a home favorite and 1-4 ATS in their last five Tuesday games.

Prediction:

Denver already owns a win over Houston this season and the Nuggets are definitely one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. They have been able to get some nice wins in this streak, including a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles. If Harden and Capela are unable to go, I don’t see Westbrook being able to carry the Rockets past this Denver defense. Keep an eye on the updates, but I like the Nuggets to ride their defense to a win tonight. Denver is able to grind in ways that the Rockets have struggled with over the years and, if not at full strength, Houston is going to have trouble grinding this one out.

NBA Prediction: Denver Nuggets +1