An eight-game Sunday slate is in the books, and Monday brings five NBA matchups as the season rolls on. Peacock’s late game, Rockets vs. Nuggets, tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET.
It’s an outing between two Western Conference playoff teams, with Houston (16-6) trailing Denver (18-6) for second place in the standings. Given that both clubs are a combined 7-1 in their last eight games, the stage could be set for an exciting bout.
Below, we’ll break down a Rockets vs. Nuggets prediction and picks for Monday. Use PrizePicks NBA to make player picks and win money if you’re right.
Rockets vs. Nuggets Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Monday marks the 209th all-time meeting between the Rockets and Nuggets. Although Houston boasts a 107-101 series lead, Denver has rattled off three victories in a row.
On the injury front, the Rockets are without PG Fred VanVleet (knee) and F Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle). F Tari Eason (oblique) is questionable. For the Nuggets, the duo of SF Christian Braun (ankle) and PF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is out.
Rockets vs. Nuggets Over/Under, Spread
The Rockets enter Monday’s game as 1.5-point road underdogs, returning a 1.88x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Nuggets are home favorites with a 1.85x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Denver Nuggets -1.5
- Over/Under: 236.5
- Game Winner Payout: Rockets 1.88x | Nuggets 1.85x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Rockets vs. Nuggets Prediction on Over/Under
- Entering Monday’s play, the Rockets rank fifth in per-game scoring at 120.6 points. They’re second in scoring margin at +10.2.
- Houston’s overall shooting efficiency (1.175 points per shot) sits eighth in the NBA.
- Head coach Ime Udoka’s club is 13-8-1 on the over this year, good for sixth.
- The Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring, averaging 125.5 PPG.
- Efficiency is the name of Denver’s game. No team converts on more field goal tries than them (51.7%) or has a better assist to turnover ratio (2.232).
- A 16-8 record on the over puts Denver right behind the Lakers (17-8) for second-best leaguewide.
Rockets vs. Nuggets NBA Picks, Stats for Monday
Here are three top Rockets vs. Nuggets picks to target on Monday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by F Kevin Durant, PG Jamal Murray, and C Nikola Jokic.
Rockets F Kevin Durant vs. Nuggets Projection: 24.5 Points
- Durant averages 24.8 PPG this season, his lowest mark since his 2007 rookie campaign. His 49.9% field goal percentage is his worst since 2011.
- The Slim Reaper’s 0.23 3-point rate ranks in the 12th percentile, sitting alongside 2019 (10th percentile) as a personal low point.
- Houston’s offense owns the fourth-slowest pace in the sport (98.04), which could limit Durant’s opportunities.
- Opponents shoot just 46.5% from the field and 33.9% from deep against the Nuggets, good for 12th- and fifth-lowest among all 30 teams.
Nuggets PG Jamal Murray vs. Rockets Projection: 30.5 Pts + Asts
- Murray seems to be making an All-Star push this year, averaging career-highs in points (24.4), rebounds (4.4), assists (6.9), and true shooting percentage (62.7).
- In Denver’s last eight contests, Murray has taken 18.3 shots per game and netted 27.5 PPG.
- Per NBA, Murray’s 126.8 offensive rating is second among all players averaging 30+ minutes a night.
- Via databallr, Murray’s 26.9 true shot attempts per 100 and 37.2% on-ball rate are in the 95th and 99th percentiles, respectively.
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic vs. Rockets Projection: 50.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Jokic is on an absolute tear in year No. 11, averaging 52.7 combined points, rebounds, and assists. In his last five games, that number is 53.6.
- The three-time MVP is a 100th-percentile performer in points per 75 (30.2) and true shooting added per 100 (8.1), per NBARAPM.
- At 20.0 rebound chances per game, Jokic is sixth in the NBA. Of all players averaging 30+ minutes, his 50% contested rebounding clip is third.
- Per 100 possessions, Jokic produces a staggering 25.2 potential assists.
Make Rockets vs. Nuggets Picks on PrizePicks
Rockets vs. Nuggets isn’t the only avenue basketball fans have to make NBA picks. With PrizePicks, you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right.
Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit.
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