Rockets vs Nuggets predictions 1/26/20 NBA Picks & Betting Tips

Game: Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Sunday, January 26, 2020

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (31-14, 2nd in the Northwest Division) play the Houston Rockets (28-16, 2nd in the Southwest Division) at Pepsi Center on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Denver opens this matchup as 2.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 224.

The Rockets are covering 47.7% of the time, having gone 21-23-0 ATS. Denver is covering the spread 46.3% of the time, going 19-22-4 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

01/22/20 PF Paul Millsap Knee is out indefinitely
01/22/20 PF Mason Plumlee Foot is OUT 2-4 weeks
01/16/20 SG Jamal Murray Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 36.1 points per game while playing 37.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 25.8 points per game in 35.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.4 assists per contest and 8.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 19.6 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10.0 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Will Barton averages 14.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.6 rebounds per contest and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 47.1 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 15.0 per game. The Rockets allow 114.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 21st in the league with 109.3 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 3.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 26.2. The Nuggets are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Nuggets surrender 106.0 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.6 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 114 is ranked 15th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Nuggets are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 108 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.2 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 28th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston +2.5

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