Event Details
- Date and Time: Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM EDT
- Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, USA
- Competition: NBA Regular Season Game
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Preview
Houston Rockets Team News
โThe Houston Rockets have been on a tear this March, stringing together an impressive eight-game winning streak and clinching their first postseason berth since 2020.ย
Jalen Green is electric, averaging around 28 points per game during this stretch. His ability to attack the rim and knock down perimeter shots keeps defenses on their heels. In the win over the Magic, he poured in 26 points, demonstrating his scoring versatility. โ
Play hard, play smart, play together.
8 ๐ฃ๏ธ IN ๐ฃ๏ธ A ๐ฃ๏ธ ROW ๐ฃ๏ธ#Liftoff pic.twitter.com/nacg3vi0bO
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 20, 2025
Alperen ลengรผn’s emergence as a low-post threat added a new dimension to their offense. His footwork and passing out of the post are crucial, especially in their comeback win against the 76ers, where he contributed 11 rebounds and important plays down the stretch. โ
The team’s commitment to contesting shots and controlling the boards is evident. Their defensive formations effectively limited opponents’ shooting percentages, as seen in holding the Magic to 44.6% from the field. โ
Alperen Sengun leads us to our 8th straight win with a double-double in Orlando!
๐ 22 PTS | 12 REB | 4 AST@MemorialHermann | #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/6tyoXdR7SF
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 20, 2025
The Rockets’ depth is a big factor. In the overtime thriller against the 76ers, Jabari Smith Jr. came off the bench to score a season-high 30 points, sparking a comeback from a 25-point deficit. โ
Fred VanVleet’s veteran presence is also invaluable. Despite an ejection in the game against Philadelphia, his leadership and clutch shooting guided the young squad through tight contests.
Back to postseason basketball ๐ pic.twitter.com/e5AQifA3aA
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 20, 2025
Considering Denver’s defensive struggles, Houston should prioritize spacing the floor and creating open looks from beyond the arc. Players like Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet can exploit this by taking shots from deep.โ
Denver Nuggets Team News
Nikola Jokiฤ has been the heartbeat of Denver’s offense. His court vision and ability to orchestrate from the high post have been pivotal for the Nuggets.ย
In the March 7th shootout against the Suns, Jokiฤ notched a jaw-dropping triple-double: 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists. That’s not a stat line you see every day.โ
Jamal Murray has complemented Jokiฤ’s playmaking with his scoring ability. In the March match against Boston, Murray dropped 26 points, demonstrating his great skills to create off the dribble and stretch the floor.โ
Injury Report ahead of tomorrowโs game against Portland:
PROBABLE:
Aaron Gordon (Right Calf Injury Management/Left Ankle Sprain)
Christian Braun (Left Foot Strain)QUESTIONABLE:
Jamal Murray (Right Ankle Sprain)OUT:
Nikola Jokiฤ (Left Ankle Impingement)
Julian Strawther (Leftโฆ pic.twitter.com/kImBzScnzmโ Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 20, 2025
Defensively, the Nuggets have had their ups and downs. Their perimeter defense is suspect at times, allowing opponents to capitalize from beyond the arc. In the March game against the Timberwolves, they conceded 115 points, with Minnesota’s shooters finding too many open looks.โ
However, against the Warriors on March 17th, despite missing Jokiฤ and Murray, Denver held Golden State to 105 points, disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots effectively. โ
Injuries played an important role this month. Jokiฤ and Murray sat out the March 19th game against the Lakers due to ankle issues. Their absence was felt as Denver struggled to find an attacking rhythm, falling 120-108. โ
Final #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/q7HO4d6Hgj
โ Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 20, 2025
In their last meeting with Houston Rockets, Jalen Green torched Denver with 34 points, shooting 6-of-10 from deep. To avoid a repeat, the Nuggets need to throw different defenders at him, maybe even trap him on pick-and-rolls to force the ball out of his hands.โ
I also believe that limiting Houston’s second-chance points is crucial for Denver. Boxing out and securing defensive rebounds will prevent the Rockets from getting easy put-backs and reset opportunities. And, of course, by pushing the tempo, Denver can exploit mismatches and catch Houston napping.
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
- Pick: Houston Rockets to win
- Score prediction: Houston Rockets 115 – 108 Denver Nuggets
The first meeting between these teams this season saw the Rockets cruise to a 128-108 win on January 15. In that game, Houston’s perimeter shooting and interior play overwhelmed a Denver squad that struggled to keep pace.
Injuries could play a deciding role in shaping the outcome. Denver will be without two of its most crucial pieces, as both Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokiฤ have been ruled out as of March 21.
.@alperennsengun is working in the ๐จ
๐๐ง๐ฉ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐ค๐ซ๐๐จ ๐จโ๐จ pic.twitter.com/aHisPnd9jk
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 20, 2025
For Houston, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard are also sidelined, but their absence isnโt as impactful as losing a two-time MVP like Jokiฤ.
Considering the injuries, the Rockets are favored, especially with their strong home record and Denver missing its primary offensive engine.ย
Without Jokiฤ playmaking in the attacking play and Murray providing scoring punch, the Nuggets will need a big effort from their supporting cast to have a shot.ย
๐ธ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐!@alperennsengun pic.twitter.com/3ibwkOjSf7
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 20, 2025
If Houston can take care of the ball and exploit Denverโs weakened interior, they should have the upper hand.
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets, Betting Tipย
- Pick: Houston Rockets -6.5
Considering the current circumstances, with the Nuggets missing key players and the Rockets’ strong home performance, it’s reasonable to anticipate that Houston might win by approximately 5 to 7 points.
Where to Watch (USA, Canada)ย
- NBA League Pass,ESPN+, Fubo (USA)
- TSN,Sportsnet (Canada)ย
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