Who's Playing
Denver @ Houston
Current Records: Denver 17-16; Houston 10-26
What to Know
The Houston Rockets have been on the wrong side of a one-way rivalry with the Denver Nuggets and are hoping to record their first win since Jan. 22 of 2020. Houston is getting right back to it as they host Denver at 8 p.m. ET Jan. 1 at Toyota Center. The Nuggets should still be feeling good after a victory, while Houston will be looking to right the ship.
Houston came up short against the Miami Heat this past Friday, falling 120-110. Point guard Kevin Porter wasn't much of a difference maker for Houston; Porter picked up six fouls and turned the ball over five times en route to a 3-for-11, 7-point finish.
Meanwhile, Denver was expected to lose against the Golden State Warriors last week, but instead they received a nice stocking stuffer. Denver ultimately received the gift of an 89-86 victory from a begrudging Golden State squad. The team ran away with 60 points in the first half and mostly just sat on those in the second to pick up the victory. Denver can attribute much of their success to center Nikola Jokic, who posted a double-double on 22 points and 18 rebounds along with five assists, and shooting guard Will Barton, who had 21 points.
Houston is expected to lose this next one by 7. Those sticking with them against the spread have guts, to put it politely, as the squad has let down bettors in their past six games.
Houston is now 10-26 while the Nuggets sit at 17-16. Denver is 8-8 after wins this season, and Houston is 4-21 after losses.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Toyota Center -- Houston, Texas
- TV: Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $20.00
Odds
The Nuggets are a solid 7-point favorite against the Rockets, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Nuggets as a 6-point favorite.
Over/Under: -112
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Houston have won 12 out of their last 22 games against Denver.
- Nov 06, 2021 - Denver 95 vs. Houston 94
- Apr 24, 2021 - Denver 129 vs. Houston 116
- Apr 16, 2021 - Denver 128 vs. Houston 99
- Dec 28, 2020 - Denver 124 vs. Houston 111
- Jan 26, 2020 - Denver 117 vs. Houston 110
- Jan 22, 2020 - Houston 121 vs. Denver 105
- Dec 31, 2019 - Houston 130 vs. Denver 104
- Nov 20, 2019 - Denver 105 vs. Houston 95
- Mar 28, 2019 - Houston 112 vs. Denver 85
- Feb 01, 2019 - Denver 136 vs. Houston 122
- Jan 07, 2019 - Houston 125 vs. Denver 113
- Nov 13, 2018 - Houston 109 vs. Denver 99
- Feb 25, 2018 - Houston 119 vs. Denver 114
- Feb 09, 2018 - Houston 130 vs. Denver 104
- Nov 22, 2017 - Houston 125 vs. Denver 95
- Apr 05, 2017 - Houston 110 vs. Denver 104
- Mar 20, 2017 - Houston 125 vs. Denver 124
- Mar 18, 2017 - Houston 109 vs. Denver 105
- Dec 02, 2016 - Houston 128 vs. Denver 110
- Dec 14, 2015 - Denver 114 vs. Houston 108
- Nov 13, 2015 - Denver 107 vs. Houston 98
- Oct 28, 2015 - Denver 105 vs. Houston 85
Injury Report for Houston
- Kevin Porter: Game-Time Decision (Thigh)
- Jalen Green: Game-Time Decision (Hamstring)
- Eric Gordon: Out (Groin)
- D.J. Augustin: Out (Covid-19)
- DeJon Jarreau: Out (Covid-19)
- Garrison Mathews: Out (Covid-19)
- Alperen Sengun: Out (Ankle)
- John Wall: Out (Not Injury Related)
Injury Report for Denver
- Jeff Green: Out (Covid-19)
- Nah'Shon Hyland: Out (Covid-19)
- Zeke Nnaji: Out (Covid-19)
- Monte Morris: Out (Knee)
- Markus Howard: Out (Knee)
- Jamal Murray: Out (Knee)
- Michael Porter Jr.: Out for the Season (Back)
- PJ Dozier: Out for the Season (Knee)
