Saturday, March 18, 2017

Pepsi Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Houston Rockets travel to Pepsi Center to play the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, March 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 6 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 47-21. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 7.4 as they are averaging 115.5 points per game while giving up 108.1 per contest. The Nuggets have an overall record of 33-35. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 111.2 points per game and surrendering 110.8, good for a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 39-29-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 35-32-1 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 37-30-1 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 43-24-1 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/16/17 F Nene Rest expected to miss Friday vs. New Orleans

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

03/17/17 F Danilo Gallinari Knee doubtful Saturday vs. Houston
03/16/17 F Wilson Chandler Groin out indefinitely
03/04/17 G Mo Williams Knee out for season

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 28.9 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 8 rebounds per game and dishes out 11.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Eric Gordon averages 16.6 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 16.1 points per game while playing 27.1 minutes per contest this year for the Nuggets. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Gary Harris averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.31 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 25.5 assists per game which ranks them 9th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 14.9 per game. The Rockets allow 108.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 21st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 23.4 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 111.2 points per game this year which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.43 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 7th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the NBA. They average 46.2 rebounds per game and 25 assists per contest which ranks them 1st and 3rd respectively. In the turnover department the Nuggets rank 6th with 15.3 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 28th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 40.1 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 24.4 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. The Nuggets force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets have an offensive rating of 115.6 and a defensive rating of 108.3. In terms of pace they average 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 55%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they shoot 3 pointers on 47% of their shots. Houston turns the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets rating on offense is 113.2 and they have a defensive rating of 112.7. They get 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 53%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they attempt 3 pointers on 33% of their shot attempts. Denver turns the ball over on 13.5 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.1 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Denver +6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald