Published Dec 14, 3:42pm ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 14, 3:42pm ET
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One of the games on Monday's NBA slate features the Denver Nuggets hosting the Houston Rockets. Who has the edge in our Nuggets vs Rockets pick?
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| Denver Nuggets | -2.5 (-106) |
| Houston Rockets | +2.5 (-123) |
After a 131-121 setback against the Mavericks, Denver has responded with four straight wins, including a 136-105 victory against the Sacramento Kings.
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The Nuggets jumped on Sacramento early. They led by 15 points after the first quarter and held a 77-54 advantage at the break.
Denver started the second half with a 10-0 burst and increased its lead to 37 points in the final frame en route to a one-sided, 31-point win.
The Nuggets' balanced offense included six players who reached double figures. Nikola Jokic put up a team-high 36 points, collected 12 rebounds, and handed out eight assists. Peyton Watson finished with 21 points, connecting on seven of his 10 shot attempts.
Denver shot 59 percent overall and 41 percent from beyond the arc.
Following a 133-125 loss against Utah, the Rockets have won three of their last four games. Their recent outing was a 115-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
This back-and-forth battle went down to the wire. The game was tied at 110, when Amen Thompson tipped in a miss by Alperen Sengun and hit the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play.
The Clippers had two opportunities to tie the game but Kawhi Leonard committed an offensive foul and Nicolas Batum was called for a violation on an inbounds pass.
Six players produced double-digit scoring totals for Houston. Sengun scored a team-high 22 points, along with 15 rebounds and five assists. Thompson's final stat line included 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Here's a look at what you need to know for both teams ahead of this contest.
Denver is 14-5 overall in the previous 19 meetings between these teams and 10-2 at home during this stretch. In a battle between two of the top three teams in the Western Conference, the edge -- albeit a small one -- goes to the Nuggets.
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Pick
Denver Nuggets
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