Houston @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 7, 2019 ) Denver 113, Houston 125

The Houston Rockets look to defeat Denver for the 10th consecutive time when they visit the Nuggets on Friday. The Rockets posted two double-digit victories over Denver earlier this season and look for another in the opener of a four-game road trip.

Houston star guard James Harden continued his scoring rampage with 37 points on Tuesday for his 24th straight game of 30 or more points but he was highly disappointed after the 121-116 loss to the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. "It's a terrible loss for us. Terrible," Harden told reporters afterward. "A letdown. We had no energy from the beginning of the game." The Nuggets defeated host New Orleans 105-99 the following night for their fourth straight victory and 14th in the past 18 contests as center Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season. "Everybody knows where the ball is going and Nikola Jokic is out closer - and that's what you want from your franchise player, your All-Star, your MVP, whatever you want to call him," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "Down the stretch, give him the ball and let him make plays. He wants it. He has the confidence and he's been delivering, which is the best thing about it."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (29-21): Harden was just 11-of-32 shooting against the Pelicans as he concluded one of the top months in NBA history by averaging 43.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.1 steals in 14 games. The reigning MVP scored at least 35 points in each of the past 11 games, including efforts of 61, 58 and 57 and made at least five 3-pointers on 11 occasions. Harden scored 610 points in the month to become the first player since Michael Jordan - 729 in March of 1987 - to reach 600 in a month.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (35-15): Point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) will likely miss his fourth straight game and that will give backup Monte Morris a chance to follow up on Wednesday's strong effort of 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Most importantly, Morris didn't commit a single turnover in 40 minutes in his second career start and has just four miscues in 118 minutes over the past four games. "He did a great job," backup shooting guard Malik Beasley told reporters. "He knows his role - score when he has to and facilitate. He's just a smart player."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets prevailed in their last four visits to Denver, including a 109-99 triumph on Nov. 13.

2. Houston PF Kenneth Faried - who spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Nuggets - recorded three straight double-doubles and is averaging 17.3 points and 11.7 rebounds during the stretch.

3. Beasley scored 22 points against New Orleans and is averaging 18.3 points over the last four contests.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 118, Rockets 116