Everyone knows the Warriors are the best team in the Western Conference, but the race for their main adversary is heated. The Denver Nuggets have looked like the second-best team in the West throughout the season but the Houston Rockets have played well of late and have the high-end talent which could propel them to a deep playoff run.
These two teams will face off this week in a game that could mean a lot down the stretch. Denver seems unlikely to catch the Warriors for the top seed but would love to hold off Houston and the rest of the playoff teams in the West for the No. 2 seed.
The Nuggets have a better record and the home court advantage so they figure to be the favorite in this game, but the spread isn’t likely to be too large in NBA betting lines.
This NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets will be held at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1st, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
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Odds Analysis
The Rockets did not play well early in the season but have looked better of late. They are 29-21 on the year and currently sitting as the fifth seed in the West. Houston has designs of continuing up the standings and a win in this game would be big. Houston has been subpar on the road with 10 wins in 23 games.
The Nuggets have put together a nice year. They are 34-15 on the season and sit in second place in the West. Denver has been fantastic at home with a 22-4 record. Even though Houston has a very good team, the location of this game will make sure the Nuggets are favored.
This could be a high-scoring showdown. Both teams average more than 111 points per game and Houston, in particular, has really hit its groove on the offensive end of the court recently.
Key Stat
24. That’s the number of games in a row Rockets star forward James Harden has scored at least 30 points in a game. It is an incredible streak and Harden is scoring at a rate not seen in the NBA for decades. He is averaging 36.3 points per game on the year, shooting 44 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range. Harden is a wizard at drawing fouls and is getting to the line at a prolific pace.
Harden is also adding 8.2 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game. He had to take over for a stretch because point guard Chris Paul was out with a hamstring injury. Paul recently returned and can help shoulder some of the scoring load, but Harden is obviously still going to be a huge factor in this game.
Player To Watch
Nikola Jokic -- The Nuggets have a star of their own in Jokic. He is averaging 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this year. Denver has taken a big leap forward this year because of his development.
The Rockets usually have Clint Capela to guard the paint but he is out several weeks with an injury. Jokic will aim to take advantage and have a big game. Denver will likely need to score at an efficient pace to outlast the Rockets, and Jokic will be a key part of that both scoring and passing.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The numbers say the Nuggets should win this game, as they have been the superior team throughout the season and have the benefit of the home court. However, Harden is playing at an incredible rate and now has his sidekick with him as Paul is back on the court.
Houston should be under consideration on the moneyline as it has the capability to pull this upset in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Houston Rockets 119, Denver Nuggets 117
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