After four straight losses, the Nuggets fired their coach and GM, and Denver has won two straight. The Nuggets are in position to secure the No. 4 seed in the West with a victory over the Rockets in Houston.
My Nuggets vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, April 13 expect Denver to win on the road with a big game from Nikola Jokic and solid contributions from Christian Braun.
Nuggets vs Rockets prediction
My best bet: Nikola Jokic triple-double (+120 at bet365)
My analysis
The Denver Nuggets control their playoff destiny, and a win against the Houston Rockets secures the No. 4 seed and a home playoff series.
No player understands the magnitude of a win more than Nikola Jokic, who has put this team on his back throughout the season. His monstrous contributions haven’t been more evident than they have across the last seven games, in which he’s averaged a ridiculous 35.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.
Jokic has recorded five triple-doubles during his torrid seven-game heater, including three straight heading into Sunday’s pivotal matchup.
The reigning MVP somehow found a way to outdo himself, as he is the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season and the first center to accomplish that feat. Jokic has recorded a career-high 34 triple-doubles, good for fourth-most in a single season in NBA history and most among centers, besting Wilt Chamberlain’s 31 set nearly 60 years ago in the 1967-68 season.
The Joker hasn’t played against Houston this season, but he was stellar against them last season, going for 32.3 points, 16.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. He’s posted a triple-double in three of his last six against the Rockets, including two of his last four at Toyota Center. In his career, Jokic has posted six triple-doubles in 30 matchups with Houston.
Jokic is on a remarkable run, and there are personal and team implications on the line tonight. Locked into a close playoff race and an even closer MVP race with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, expect Jokic to deliver a masterful performance.
Nuggets vs Rockets same-game parlay
Nikola Jokic triple-double
Christian Braun Over 14.5 points
Nuggets moneyline
Christian Braun is enjoying a breakout campaign in which he’s averaging a career-high 15.5 points. He’s been even better as a scorer since returning from the All-Star break, averaging 16.5 points across 24 games and scoring at least 15 in 15 of them. He scored 15 or more in one of two matchups with Houston this season while averaging 16.5 points.
The Rockets rested most of their starters in each of the last two games, but only Jae’Sean Tate is on Sunday’s injury report. The Rockets will likely roll with their usual starters so they can get some run before the playoffs tip off in six days. With the No. 2 seed locked up, it’s unclear how many minutes the first five will play, and Denver could run away with this one in the second half.
Still, this one isn’t a layup for Denver, and I’m not too keen to bet against such a quality team at home by nearly double-digit points. I’m confident Denver will take care of business here, but 9.5 points are just too many to spot the Rockets at home. I’m staying away from the spread and taking Denver on the ML.
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Nuggets vs Rockets odds
Nuggets vs Rockets live odds
Nuggets vs Rockets opening odds
- Spread: Denver -9.5 (-110) | Houston +9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Denver -425 | Houston +325
- Over/Under: Over 233.5 (-110) | Under 233.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Rockets spread and Over/Under analysis
- Denver and Houston are each 4-6 ATS across their last 10 games.
- The Nuggets and Rockets have hit the Over in three of their last four head-to-head matchups.
- Covers Consensus data shows 51% of picks taking the Rockets ATS, with 63% of picks on the Over.
Nuggets vs Rockets trend
The Nuggets have hit the Over in 48 of their last 79 games (+13.90 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Rockets.
How to watch Nuggets vs Rockets
| Location | Toyota Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Sunday, 4-13-2025 |
| Tip-off | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ALT, SCHN |
Nuggets vs Rockets latest injuries
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