Free Pick: Rockets vs. Nuggets Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets Free NBA predictions? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Nuggets on 12/20 at Ball Arena in Denver. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups all season long, so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA predictions like this Rockets Nuggets free pick.
2025 NBA Handicapping – Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets
(16-8) Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets (20-6)
Date: Dec 20, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +100| Nuggets -110 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Rockets +1| Nuggets -1
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 236
Here’s why I’m taking the favored hometown Denver in my Rockets Nuggets free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Rockets vs. Nuggets Gameday
In what is a rematch for arguably the best game of the year, the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets lineup on Saturday. The teams last played on Monday in an overtime thriller that Denver won 128-125.
Houston last played on Thursday, losing 128-133 to the Pelicans in overtime. It was the Rockets’ second consecutive loss of this nature.
In the loss, all five starters plus Reed Sheppard scored in double figures, led by Kevin Durant, who dropped 32 points while Alperen Sengun produced a double-double of 28 points and 11 rebounds (plus eight assists, two steals, and two blocks).
Denver also last played on Thursday in an easy 126-115 victory over the Orlando Magic. Six Nuggets served up double-digit scoring, with Jamal Murray (32 points) the high point man while Nikola Jokic served up another triple-double featuring 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists (plus two steals).
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Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets Odds & Last 5
Head-to-head, the Nuggets took last season’s series two games to one. This is the second of four meetings between the teams this year, with Denver leading the series 2-0.
Houston is 2-3 in their last five matches, and as a result, they have dropped to the fifth seed with a record of 16-8. This is the third game of a six-game road trip for the Rockets.
Denver is 6-0 through the last six games, while they boast a record of 20-6, which places them back in second in the West. This is the third of a four-game home stand for the Nuggets.
Denver is favored by a single point with an over/under of 236 points.
Rockets Stats
With 24 games in the pocket, Houston ranks third overall (121.2) on offense and fifth on defense (112.1). Additionally, the Rockets hold the third-ranked net rating (+9.1) and run the 28th slowest pace (97.81).
The West’s fifth seed averages 121.1 points per game, while its opponents average 112.2 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Houston averages 25.7 (18th) and 49.1 (1st), respectively.
Team leaders* are Kevin Durant for scoring (25.1), Alperen Sengun for rebounding (9.5), assists (7.2), steals (1.5), and blocks (1.0).
Perimeter shooting is a major advantage for Houston, which shoots the deep ball at an average of 39.6% (3rd in NBA). Incredibly, nine players average over 36.2% with eight shooting above 41%.
*Minimum 10 games played
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Nuggets Stats
Denver ranks first offensively (124.4) and 17th defensively (115.0) while holding the second-best net rating (+9.4) and ranks 21st in pace (100.20).
The West’s second seed averages 125.6 points per game while its opponents average 116.2 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Denver averages 29.5 (4th) and 44.4 (tied for 14th), respectively.
Team leaders* in key categories are Nikola Jokic for scoring (29.6), rebounding (12.3), assists (10.9), and steals (1.4), while Peyton Watson leads in blocks (1.1).
As for perimeter efficiency, the Nuggets as a team shoot 40.1% (2nd in NBA) with eight players shooting between 38.5% and 45.2%.
*Minimum 10 games played
Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets bottom line: While Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have been out injured, the Nuggets have feasted offensively and slid defensively.
This game continues a brutal schedule segment for Denver, which will play nine winning teams in the next 12 matches.
Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets Basketball Betting Trends
- Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games.
- Houston is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games.
- Also, Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Denver’s last 11 games.
- Additionally, Denver is 6-0 SU in its last 6 games.
Rockets Nuggets Free Pick: Nuggets -1
Here is my Rockets Nuggets free pick.
Gordon and Braun will remain out until the New Year, so the extra time off due to NBA Cup action came in handy for the Nuggets, who needed the practice time to tweak the defense.
Peyton Watson had to leave the last game with an injury and remains a game time decision for this match, which adds another top defender on the sideline, potentially.
Nikola Jokic leads the league in assists and rebounding and is fifth in scoring. Hard to deny why he’s leading the MVP odds given these stats, but factor in how he’s doing it without two key starters and it gets even more impressive.
Denver has the better record against top-tier teams, but these clubs battled right to the buzzer in their recent contest. Ime Udoka got heated about the officiating, so after watching Chris Finch get tossed on Friday may take a similar approach if the whistle isn’t going in his favor on Saturday.
And while the prospect of Watson being out isn’t ideal, I still like the Nuggets to get the job done at home.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
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NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
Officially the best passing big EVER pic.twitter.com/c4fA62NJ7m
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 19, 2025
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