Sunday, April 6, 7:00 PM on AL2, CSNH

Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

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As the 2013/14 NBA regular season winds down, teams are either gearing for a long playoff run or looking back on where things went wrong. Denver definitely falls into the latter as the Nuggets will miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Houston meanwhile is percentage points ahead of Portland for the #4 spot which is huge because it is the difference between home court advantage in round 1 of the playoffs.

It's definitely been a year to forget for the Nuggets' Brian Shaw but he's reiterating the importance of playing hard down the stretch to his team. In the last 2+ weeks Denver has posted wins over the playoff bound Clippers and Wizards and recently beat the Pelicans 137-107. Denver is at their best with balanced scoring as the four wins in their last ten games all featured at least five players in double figures. The Nuggets look to provide that same offensive spread as they deal a blow to another postseason team and attempt to improve a paltry 13-24 road record.

Houston aims to defend their home court where they've gone 29-8 this season and look to define some consistency as they enter the postseason. Starting March 1st the Rockets won 5 straight games, followed by a 3-game losing stretch, then a 5-game win streak to most currently three straight losses. From March 11th to April 2nd Houston beat only 1 playoff team in their 5-6 stretch.

This marks only the 2nd meeting of the season between the Western Conference opponents who will also meet up Wednesday. Houston was able to pull out a 122-111 win on November 16th as 8 point favorites thanks to 7 players reaching double figures.

ATS Trends

Denver is 18-18-1 ATS on the road this season

Denver is 19-18-0 against the over/under on the road this season

Houston is 20-15-2 ATS at home this season

Houston is 18-16-3 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Denver 

11/10/13 C JaVale McGee Tibia out indefinitely
03/25/14 F Wilson Chandler Hip out indefinitely
03/22/14 F J.J. Hickson Knee out for season
01/31/14 G Nate Robinson Knee out for season
01/22/14 F Danilo Gallinari Knee out for season

Houston 

04/03/14 C Dwight Howard Ankle doubtful
04/03/14 F Terrence Jones Illness probable
03/28/14 G Patrick Beverley Knee out indefinitely
02/20/14 G Ronnie Brewer Ankle out indefinitely
01/25/14 F Greg Smith Knee out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Houston

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