Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets NBA Preview Friday 3-2-12
The Denver Nuggets came out of the All-Star break in fine fashion to stay above .500 and stay in the race for a top-four slot in the Western Conference. The Houston Rockets, however, started their second half with a thud on the road, and will likely look to some home-court comfort to get in the positive column Friday night when they host the Nuggets. The Rockets won the first meeting between these teams this season, recording a 99-90 verdict in Denver on February 6th. Here is a look at what to expect from each team, plus some potential NBA picks on the game.
Denver Nuggets (19-17) @ Houston Rockets (21-15), 8 p.m. ET
Denver went into the break on a downer, losing five of six, but Wednesday night the Nuggets took control at home and posted a solid 104-95 win over the Trailblazers. Denver ranks second in the league in scoring (103.4 ppg), but ranks near the bottom in defense (101.1 ppg), though most of that can be blamed on its break-neck tempo. Denver has been inconsistent on offense at times, and thus the defensive liabilities tend to show more often. Denver has also been hampered by injuries, especially to leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Nene (heel). Neither played Wednesday vs. Portland, so it’s doubtful either of them will see action Friday – Nene missed the first Houston game and Gallinari was injured in the third quarter of that game. When healthy, Denver is a threat to everyone in the West. Dealing with injuries, it will have to outrun everyone just to have a chance to win.
Houston is a team that won’t run with Denver without a fight. However, Houston just might be in a fightin’ mood after being trampled at Utah Wednesday night, 104-83, to snap a four-game win streak. Houston will be at home this time, where it has won six of its last seven. Houston is in the top-10 in scoring (96.9 ppg) but it thrives better in a lower-scoring game – where it keeps games under 95 points. That is not Denver’s comfort zone. Houston has won its last five games when holding opponents to 95 or fewer points – and 17 of 18 overall. This is where Kyle Lowry (15.8 ppg, 7.5 apg) will play a role. He will need to keep Denver from putting the pedal to the metal, but give Houston an opportunity to go on a green light. Having a controlled pace played a role last time and at home it will be important for Houston not to let Denver control the speed.
Looking at the latest NBA odds, Houston is favored by 3 points, while the total has been placed at 205 points. Houston is at home this time, but had success in Denver earlier this year partly due to Denver’s injury troubles, which haven’t really gone away. With Gallinari and Nene likely out, Denver will struggle to control things on the front line against Luis Scola. Lawson will have to push Denver up and down the floor and try to beat Houston down the court as often as possible to get easy looks. If Denver doesn’t get the halftime score into the 50s to near 60, it will have a difficult time with Houston. Being at home, and stinging after the humbling loss Wednesday night, Houston should respond with a win due to Lowry’s discipline in running the team and Scola’s likely advantage inside.
Final Score Prediction: Houston 99, Denver 94
