The Houston Rockets (26-12) and Denver Nuggets (24-15) meet Wednesday at Ball Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Nuggetsodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rockets won 3-1 in 2023-24, going 3-0-1 against the spread (ATS) with the Under cashing at a 3-1 clip
Houston swept a home-and-home with the Memphis Grizzlies, including a 120-118 win on Monday as a 2.5-point favorite, just missing the cover. The Over (235.5) hit, and is now 3-0-1 in the previous 4 outings.
The Rockets have won 6 in a row on the road, while going 5-1 ATS as the Over has cashed at a 4-1-1 clip.
The Nuggets swept a back-to-back in Dallas, winning 112-101 Sunday as a 5.5-point favorite, while winning 118-99 Tuesday as a 2.5-point favorite. The Under cashed in both of the games in the Metroplex.
At home, Denver has won and covered the past 2 games, but it is just a mediocre 4-3 SU/ATS in the past 7 outings at home. The Under has cashed in 5 of the previous 7 games, too.
Rockets at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Nuggets +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -1.5 (-110) | Nuggets +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rockets at Nuggets key injuries
Rockets
- F Tari Eason (leg) doubtful
- C Jock Landale (personal) out
- F Jabari Smith Jr. (hand) out
Nuggets
- F Vlatko Cancar (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Rockets at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 119, Rockets 115
Moneyline
NUGGETS (+100) is worth a look at even-money, as it is a much better value than taking the little bit of points.
Denver has won 4 in a row, which is actually its longest streak since picking up 5 wins in a row Nov. 2-10, while going 3-1-1 ATS in that span. That streak also included the Dallas Mavericks, whom they beat in a back-to-back in the Metroplex Sunday and Tuesday.
While the Rockets (-120) have won 4 in a row, it might have spent a lot of energy in a home-and-home sweep against the Grizzlies. Can Houston bring the intensity for a third straight game, and an elevation, too? It’s doubtful.
Against the spread
Playing the Nuggets +1.5 (-110) makes no sense, unless you’re dead-set on this game ending with the Rockets -1.5 (-110) winning, but only by a single point.
AVOID, and look to the moneyline instead.
Over/Under
OVER 231.5 (-110) is worth a look, but don’t get carried away.
The Over is 3-0-1 in the past 4 games for the Rockets, while the Under is on a 5-2 run for the Nuggets, including both games in Dallas earlier this week.
Denver is playing on no rest, the Over is 5-3 in 8 games in the second end of a back-to-back. Going high is the lean, but be careful.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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