Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets: Match Preview and Predictions - 20th November 2019
Match details
Fixture: Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets
Date & Time: Wednesday, 20th November 2019 (9:00 PM ET)
Venue: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
Last game results
Houston Rockets (11-3): 132-108 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (18th November, Monday)
Denver Nuggets (9-3): 131-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (17th November, Sunday)
Houston Rockets Preview
After a sedate start to the new season, the Houston Rockets have well and truly kicked into gear. The Rockets have reeled off eight consecutive victories and occupy the second spot in the West.
Despite being plagued by injuries to key players throughout the campaign thus far, Houston has managed to pick up 11 victories thanks to dominant displays from James Harden game in game out.
Following a red-hot performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Rockets will now travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets in what will be a stern test of their championship credentials.
Key Player - James Harden
James Harden has been virtually unguardable all season. He's put his early-season shooting woes behind him for good and has led the Rockets to an 11-3 start.
Harden is averaging a whopping 39.2 points per game this season on 42.5% shooting from the field.
He's had tremendous success going to the charity stripe as well and is averaging a career-high 14.5 attempts per game.
After putting together three consecutive 40-point displays, Harden finished with just 36 against Portland in 33 minutes of action as Houston opted to give their All-Star guard some time off with the game in the bag.
A well-rested Harden could prove to be a menace for Denver in their next encounter.
Rockets predicted lineup
Danuel House, PJ Tucker, Clint Capela, James Harden, Russell Westbrook
Denver Nuggets Preview
After a sensational 2018/19 campaign in which they secured the second seed in the West, the Denver Nuggets were billed as one of the favorites heading into the new season.
Although they've blown hot and cold thus far, the Nuggets have still managed 9 victories and enter their next clash against the Houston Rockets on the back of a blowout win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Nuggets have won six of their last seven encounters and their recent run of form has propelled them to the third spot in the Western Conference Standings.
Key Player - Jamal Murray
Known to be quite a streaky shooter at the best of times, Jamal Murray worked on his game in the offseason and has returned as a much more consistent performer for the Nuggets this campaign.
Murray is averaging 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game and shooting 37.7% from three-point land.
The highlight of his season so far came in the Nuggets' previous game, against the Grizzlies, as Murray exploded for 39 points, making 7 of 12 attempts from deep.
Considering Nikola Jokic's struggles this season, the onus will once again be on Murray to pick up the slack when Denver welcomes Houston to the Pepsi Center.
Nuggets predicted lineup
Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray
Rockets vs Nuggets Match Prediction
The Rockets have dominated the head-to-head between these two teams of late. They've won 10 of the last 11 meetings, although that could change this time around.
Denver have one of the better defenses across the league and are allowing opponents just 102.9 points per game and limiting them to 42.9% from the field.
Houston will also be without a number of players for this game, including Eric Gordon, Nene, and Gerald Green and might struggle to keep pace with the hosts.
Expect the Nuggets to edge a close encounter.
Where to Watch Rockets vs Nuggets?
The game will be broadcast on AT&T Sportsnet, Altitude and NBA TV Canada, from 9:00 PM (ET). You can live stream the game via NBA League Pass.