Nuggets vs Rockets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 11/21/25

DENVER @ HOUSTON (HOU -2.5, 234.5)

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Nuggets vs Rockets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 11/21/25

NUGGETS @ ROCKETS 11/21/25

In a crucial NBA Cup clash between the top two teams in West Group C, Houston will face Denver tonight. The Rockets and Nuggets lead in point differential, but all five teams in the group have identical 1-1 records, making it a close race.

Houston and Denver are also among the top three clubs in the Western Conference season standings. Additionally, they lead the NBA in points per game and offensive rating.

In an effort to match the Cavaliers' formidable frontcourt, which includes center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley, the current NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the Rockets (10-3, 1-1) went back to the "skyline lineup" they used for the first two games of the season on Wednesday in Cleveland.

Alperen Sengun ultimately proved to be more than capable of handling Houston's burden. With 28 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, the power forward dominated his game against Mobley and helped the Rockets win 114-104, their fifth straight victory.

Sengun finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the fourth quarter to help lead the Rockets to victory. Sengun was there whenever Houston needed a score badly.

With Steven Adams starting next to Sengun, the Rockets capitalized on their size to gain an advantage on the boards (plus-12), second-chance points (plus-15), and paint points (plus-8). Houston's ability to thrash opponents hasn't diminished, despite its swift departure from its double-big lineup.

Aaron Holiday, a reserve guard for the Rockets, scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and remarked, "I feel like it gives us a chance to win every game." "Just being physical and playing hard, that helps us be in every game."

The Nuggets (11-3, 1-1) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-118 on the road on Wednesday after the Chicago Bulls ended their seven-game winning streak earlier this week. Peyton Watson recorded a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic maintained his triple-double streak of 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. Both Houston and Denver are behind Oklahoma City, but the Nuggets are a half-game ahead of the Rockets in the Western Conference after winning eight of their previous ten games.

The New Orleans victory wasn't flawless. Jokic fouled out late and made nine turnovers. Denver's late-game difficulties from a two-point loss at Portland on October 31 were replicated in the closing minutes as they had a 19-point lead cut to six points while giving up 24 points on 20 turnovers.

"We just need to take care of the ball better than that," stated David Adelman, coach of the Nuggets. "We had 20 turnovers total." "We cannot allow errors to cost us twenty-four points. Watching this movie with the men will be enjoyable.

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GAME TOTAL OVER 234.5

This total opened at 229 and is up to 234.5 as the Over is taking steam. It’s for good reason two. These are the top two offenses in the NBA. Houston actually plays at a much slower tempo, but the Rockets are highly efficient. Denver is closer to average in tempo, but they can fill it up as well. The Nuggets are No. 1 in the NBA in scoring, averaging 124.6 ppg and Houston is second at 123.9. Three of Denver’s last four games and 6 of Houston’s last 7 have all gone Over the total. Four of the last five between these two have gone Over the total and the average closing totals for the last 10 Nuggets-Rockets games have been in the 220s.