[10:40 PM] Rockets @ Nuggets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Rockets (12-7)

@ Denver Nuggets (7-11)

 

• The Denver Nuggets have not gotten the job done at home in the first five weeks of the season and look to begin changing that trend when they host the improving Houston Rockets on Friday night. The Nuggets have dropped six of nine games on their home court after a 106-98 loss to Miami on Wednesday — their third setback in the past four games overall.

• The Nuggets dropped all three of their overtime games this season and are 26th in the league in scoring defense as they prepare to take on James Harden and the Rockets, who arrive after a thrilling 132-127 double-overtime victory at Golden State on Thursday. Houston is 3-1 on its five-game road trip and has won six of eight overall to move into fourth-place in the Western Conference.

• Harden finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists in the win over Golden State and was one of four players to log at least 39 minutes as the Rockets prepare to play their fourth game in six days. Ryan Anderson drained five 3-pointers and scored a season-high 29 while guard Eric Gordon continues to contribute off the bench with 23 — his third straight with at least 20. Former second-round pick Montrezl Harrell notched his second double-double of the season Thursday, pouring in 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 25 minutes.

• Rookie Jamal Murray missed his first 17 shots of the season, but battled back to win the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November — averaging 10.4 points. Wilson Chandler is off to a strong start, leading the team at 18.2 points per game after averaging 24.7 the last three games.

• The Nuggets won all three meetings with the Rockets last season — two of them in Denver.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Houston Rockets

Confidence: 5/10

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