Monday, March 20, 2017

Toyota Center

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The Denver Nuggets travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Monday, March 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 33-36. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.3 as they are averaging 111.1 points per game while giving up 110.8 per contest. The Rockets have an overall record of 48-22. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 115.3 points per game and surrendering 108.4, good for a point differential of 6.9.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 37-31-1 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 43-25-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 40-30-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 36-33-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

03/19/17 F Danilo Gallinari Knee doubtful Monday vs. Houston
03/19/17 F Wilson Chandler Groin doubtful Monday vs. Houston
03/18/17 F Darrell Arthur Knee "?" Monday vs. Houston
03/04/17 G Mo Williams Knee out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this contest averaging 16.1 points per game while playing 27 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 9.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 58% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Gary Harris averages 14.4 points per game in 30.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 3.1 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 29.2 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 8.1 rebounds per game and has 11.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. Eric Gordon averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 111.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.36 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 46.2 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per game which ranks them 2nd and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.2 per game. The Nuggets allow 110.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc ranking them 29th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.2 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 24.3 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.3 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.93 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 10th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per contest which ranks them 9th and 2nd respectively. In the turnover department the Rockets rank 8th with 14.8 per game. The Rockets allow 108.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 21st and 5th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. The Rockets force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets have an offensive rating of 113 and a defensive rating of 112.7. In terms of pace they average 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 33% of their shots. Denver turns the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets rating on offense is 115.4 and they have a defensive rating of 108.5. They get 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 55%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they attempt 3 pointers on 46% of their shot attempts. Houston turns the ball over on 13.1 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Rockets NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -4

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