The Nuggets are on fire as of late and will look to pile on the struggling Rockets, who played on Monday without James Harden (toe), Russell Westbrook (rest), and Clint Capela (heel).

Trying to shake-off two upset losses

The Houston Rockets are 22-11 (11-4 at home) and will head to the game having lost two of their last three games. They got blasted by the last-placed Golden State Warriors on Christmas day, 116-104, and then lost to the other bottoming team, New Orleans Pelicans, on Monday, 127-112.

The Rockets were also defeated by the Denver Nuggets in their match-up last November 20th, 105-95. It was an ugly performance that had them putting up a season low on points.

Harden (38.3 PPG, 7.5 APG) and Capela (13.9 PPG, 14.4 RPG) are still unsure for tomorrow’s game, and as seen in the numbers, the would-be absence is huge. Should the two continue sitting out, Russell Westbrook can be expected to have a monster game, as he is likely back from rest. He has averaged 30.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in his last six.

The red-hot Nuggets

The Nuggets are stacking up the Ws again and have jumped back to second place in the Western Conference standings. They now stand at 23-9 (8-5 on the road) and will be beaming with confidence from their current stretch of having nine wins in their last 10 games. Also, as a shift away from their usually slow and low-scoring style, they are suddenly averaging 116 PPG in their last six.

In the aforementioned successful first meeting with the Rockets, the Nuggets showcased a stifling and rhythm-disrupting defense that recorded a season-high 13 steals, and a balanced offense that had six guys scoring in double figures.

Nikola Jokic is starting to heat up so look for the All-Star big man to have a favourable match-up, especially if Capela, his Rockets counterpart, decides to sit out the game. Jokic is dropping 22.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on 56.7%-shooting in his last nine outings.

Jamal Murray (17.4 PPG) and swingman Will Barton (14.7 PPG) will be Denver’s second and third threats. Any of the two could have a productive night as well, as the probable absence of Harden will lessen their burden on the court.

PREDICTION:

The Rockets falter with Harden and Capela out. The Nuggets make the series two-zip, 116-110.