5:10 pm
November 6

Rockets @ Nuggets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Rockets (1-7)

@ Denver Nuggets (4-4)

 

Current odds:

Houston Rockets: (+475)

Denver Nuggets: (-700)

 

• The spread for the game is Denver by 11.5 points.

• The Denver Nuggets knew star Nikola Jokic would need to assume a larger role in the team’s offense after guard Jamal Murray suffered a torn ACL last April. They just didn’t think he’d have to do everything. After going 4-4 in their first eight games, Nuggets coach Michael Malone is still waiting to see who will step up in Murray’s absence. He hopes to get more answers Saturday when Denver begins a five-game homestand against the Houston Rockets. Denver dropped its second straight game to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday despite another stellar effort from Jokic, who had 34 points and 11 rebounds in the 108-106 loss. Last season’s MVP is averaging 25.1 points, 13.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists while playing 31 minutes per game

• Malone will turn to Jokic again versus a young Houston squad that has lost six in a row. The 7-footer faces an intriguing matchup against Rockets first-round draft pick Alperen Sengun. The 19-year-old Sengun turned in a strong performance in Thursday’s 123-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns, finishing with 10 points, four rebounds, five assists and one steal. The 6-foot-9 center has started the last two games in place of Daniel Theis, who is day-to-day with a sore right big toe.

• Houston is looking to build on an encouraging showing against Phoenix. Guard Kevin Porter Jr. scored a season-high 20 points, while forward Christian Wood added 18. Wood is averaging a team-high 19.9 points on 47.6 percent shooting for Houston, which has lost its last four meetings against Denver.

• The Nuggets received a spark in Wednesday’s game against Memphis from guard Will Barton, who scored a season-high 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting. Denver forward Michael Porter Jr. recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss and is mired in an early-season shooting slump. The 6-foot-10 Porter, who averaged 19 points last season, is shooting 36.4 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from 3-point range while scoring 10.9 points per game.

7/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Denver Nuggets
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