Rockets vs Nuggets: Will Houston End Its Two-Game Slide? (Apr 13)

• The Rockets are 52-29 and have locked up the No. 2 spot out west.
• Denver is 49-32 and is tied with the Clippers for the fourth-best record in the conference playoff race.
• These teams last played on Mar. 23, with the Nuggets claiming a 116-111 victory.

One of the games on Sunday’s NBA slate features the Houston Rockets hosting the Denver Nuggets. Can Houston end its late-season slide in our Rockets vs Nuggets pick?

Rockets Coming Off Blowout Loss Against Lakers

Following a three-game winning streak, the Rockets have dropped two straight. Their latest setback was a blowout 140-109 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

Cam Whitmore exploded for 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds while shooting 13-for-19 overall and 7-for-12 effort from 3-point range.

Reed Sheppard added 14 points and five rebounds. Nate Williams and Aaron Holiday chipped in with 12 and 11.

Playing without six of its top seven scorers (rest), Houston watched its opponent take control of the game in the second quarter.

LA increased a six-point lead to 22 points at the break before outscoring the Rockets by nine points in the second half.

Nuggets Look To End Their Season With A Three-Game Win Streak

After a four-game losing streak, the Nuggets have responded with a much-needed two-game winning streak. Their latest triumph included a 117-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Apr. 11.

Aaron Gordon paced an offense in which four of the team’s starters reached double figures. He scored 33 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Nikola Jokic produced his 34th triple-double of the season, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists. Denver’s big man also collected two steals.

Jokic wrapped up a triple-double average with his fourth assist of the evening. The other two players who averaged a triple-double for an entire season are Russell Westbrook, his current teammate, and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

Denver trailed by six points at halftime but trimmed the deficit to three points entering the fourth quarter. In the game’s final 12 minutes, they outscored Memphis by a 25-14 margin, including a 14-1 run over the final six minutes.

Rockets vs Nuggets Pick: Who Has The Edge In This Conference Showdown?

The Rockets are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are much better defensively than they are offensively, ranking sixth in points allowed and 14th in scoring.

On the other hand, the Nuggets have gone 5-5 in their previous 10 outings. This group is ranked 22nd in defensive rating but fourth in offensive efficiency.

Although the teams have split the two meetings this season, the Rockets have won four of the six previous matchups in the series.

However, given that Houston has locked up the No. 2 spot, the Nuggets should win this one.