The Denver Nuggets (44-26) will visit the Houston Rockets (45-25) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Rockets are 7-point favorites over the Nuggets on the spread (Rockets -7), with the over/under set at 224.5 total points. Houston is a -370 favorite to win outright, while Denver is +220 to pull off the upset.
No joke, Nikola Jokic is out again Sunday, as the Nuggets take on the suddenly surging Rockets. Houston has suddenly won nine in a row and has Denver’s number. The Nuggets are basically falling apart before you get to the fact that they’re without Jokic.
Does the market have this line in an accurate place or is there value in buying low on Denver? Let's get to my Nuggets vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 23.
Nuggets vs Rockets Prediction
My Rockets vs. Nuggets best bet is on the Under at 224.5 total points, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Under 224.5
Nuggets vs Rockets Odds, Spread, Picks
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 224.5 -110 / -110 | +220 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 224.5 -110 / -110 | -370 |
- Nuggets vs. Rockets spread: Rockets -7
- Nuggets vs. Rockets over/under: 224.5 total points
- Nuggets vs. Rockets moneyline: Nuggets +220, Rockets -370
- Nuggets vs. Rockets best bet: Under 224.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets NBA Preview
Denver Nuggets
Without Nikola Jokic, this is pretty bleak. The upside is that Denver is 3-3 when an underdog, SU and ATS this season, when without Jokic. The Nuggets are notably worse when they are favored, 0-3.
Denver has a switchable defense without Jokic, which would be better if they had better perimeter defenders. Expect a lot of Russell Westbrook attacking in this game, which could be great, could be terrible.
Denver’s screening without Jokic has improved, and Jamal Murray might be able to get loose as a result.
I’m going to level with you: Denver’s defense is so bad, and their offense so Jokic-dependent, it’s difficult to find reasons for optimism here.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are a mediocre offense but are 12th vs. bottom-10 defenses. Denver is 26th against middle-10 offenses.
The Rockets are going to score. But the market has been ahead of that trend with Nuggets’ opponents without Jokic. The opponent team total under for the Nuggets without Joker is 5-1.
Alperen Sengun is going to have a fun time with Aaron Gordon defending him, and when the Rockets go to a two-big lineup with Steven Adams, the Nuggets don’t really have a counter with DeAndre Jordan out of the rotation.
Houston doesn’t allow anything easy, and the Nuggets’ offense can’t really create anything easy, either.
Nuggets vs Rockets Betting Predictions
This total has moved down significantly, but based on the trends for the Nuggets’ defense without Jokic and how the Rockets should shut off the water, I like the under.
The Rockets’ team total might get home if they just cause a ton of turnovers over Russell Westbrook, forcing the issue against his former team, but in that case, the Nuggets’ team total can go so far under for their combined total is under.
That’s a lot of points for a Rockets team that can stall out to lay, but I like the under as a bet on the Rockets defense and the market overcorrection with Jokic out.
Best Bet: Under 224.5 (-110)
Rockets vs. Nuggets Betting Trends
