Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets - 12/31/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Toyota Center is the site where Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets (22-11, 1st in the Southwest Division) will take on the Denver Nuggets (23-9, 1st in the Northwest Division) on Tuesday. Denver opens this matchup as 2.5 point underdogs. The O/U is set at 224.

The Nuggets cover the spread 42.9% of the time, having gone 12-16-4 ATS. Houston is covering 48.5% of the time, going 16-17-0 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/29/2019 Gary Harris SG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/29/2019 Paul Millsap PF Quadriceps Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/29/2019 Clint Capela C Heel Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/29/2019 Russell Westbrook G Rest Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/29/2019 James Harden SG Toe Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/16/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 91%. Nikola Jokic averages 18.0 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 10.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 24.1 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.1 rebounds per game and has 7.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. James Harden averages 38.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.9 rebounds per contest and 7.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 108.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 45.3 rebounds per game and 26.6 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.8 per game. The Nuggets allow 103.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 24.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 119.1 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.3 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Rockets are 16th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Rockets surrender 114.3 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 26.0 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.2, and their defensive rating of 104.9 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 21st. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Denver is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 114.3 is ranked 16th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Denver +2.5

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