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Rockets vs. Nuggets prediction: Houston favored to win Saturday's NBA matchup [12/20/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer
Get Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets predictions for NBA Saturday.
The Denver Nuggets will take on the Houston Rockets in NBA action at Ball Arena on Saturday, starting at 5:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results and today’s injury updates, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Rockets as the most likely winner of the Rockets vs. Nuggets game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Nuggets lineup will feature stars like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Cameron Johnson, while the Rockets will rely on Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Saturday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Rockets vs. Nuggets prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Saturday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Nuggets 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Rockets a 55% chance of beating the Nuggets. Our predicted final score has the Rockets winning 118-116.
According to our model, the Nuggets (-1.5) have a 53% chance of covering the spread, while the 235.5-point over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.
Rockets vs. Nuggets odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Rockets | Nuggets |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +1.5 (-130) | -1.5 (+105) |
| Moneyline | -104 | -105 |
| Total | o235.5 (-115) | u235.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Rockets vs. Nuggets picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Nuggets -1.5 | +105 |
| Moneyline | Rockets | -104 |
| Total | Under 235.5 | -105 |
According to our NBA best bets, the top play to make on this game is Rockets to win.
Rockets vs. Nuggets player props
NBA player props are a popular way to wager on the Rockets vs. Nuggets matchup without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Ball Arena.
Kevin Durant is expected to lead the Rockets with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Nikola Jokic is projected to have 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nuggets.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Rockets prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Rockets are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 25 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 45 |
| Alperen Sengun | 22 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 48 |
| Amen Thompson | 18 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 41 |
| Jabari Smith | 16 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 34 |
| Reed Sheppard | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 29 |
Nuggets prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Nuggets:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 27 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 63 |
| Jamal Murray | 24 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 43 |
| Cameron Johnson | 16 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 31 |
| Tim Hardaway | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Peyton Watson | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
Rockets vs. Nuggets game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's matchup between the Nuggets and Rockets at Ball Arena is scheduled to start at 5:00 PM ET.
- Who: Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM ET/2:00PM PT
- Venue: Ball Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Rockets, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Nuggets on Saturday, with Nikola Jokic projected for a game-high 63 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Rockets vs. Nuggets insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
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