Nuggets vs. Rockets prediction and picks, November 9, 2026
Denver Nuggets (4-3) at Houston Rockets (7-2), , Toyota Center (Houston) in Houston on ALT2/KTVD, KUSA-TV (9NEWS).
On the board since November 6, 2026 · numbers refreshed Nov 6, 9:28 PM ET
Our Nuggets-Rockets picks
Pre-tip pick, graded after the final
No sportsbook line on this game yet. Books post NBA lines about a day before tip, and our picks are made at that price.
Nuggets vs. Rockets preview
- Nuggets are 4-3 and 3-2 over their last 5, scoring 115.4 and allowing 114.7 a game.
- Rockets are 7-2 and 3-2 over their last 5, scoring 117.9 and allowing 107.6 a game.
- Rockets score 117.9 a game at a 49.0% field-goal rate; Nuggets give up 114.7.
- Nuggets list 1 out: Julian Strawther.
- Rockets list 2 out: Clint Capela, Steven Adams.
- The model makes Rockets 7.2-point favorites (5.4 from season form, 1.7 for home court) and gives them a 69.6% chance to win.
Injury report
Nuggets injuries
- Day-To-Day DeMar DeRozan G · back · expected return Nov 7
- Out Julian Strawther G · knee · expected return Nov 29
Rockets injuries
- Out Clint Capela C · ankle · expected return Nov 9
- Out Steven Adams C · calf · expected return Nov 9
Official league injury report: 12:45 AM ET, Nov 6 PDF.
Team stats this season
| Per game | DEN | HOU |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 115.4 13th | 117.9 8th |
| Rebounds | 41.6 24th | 43.8 17th |
| Assists | 27.6 8th | 28.0 4th |
| Field goal | 49.0% 2nd | 49.0% 3rd |
| 3-point | 37.2% 10th | 38.6% 4th |
| Free throw | 80.9% 8th | 81.4% 7th |
| Turnovers | 15.7 13th | 15.9 17th |
| Possessions | 99.9 29th | 100.0 28th |
League rank in small type (7 and 9 games played). Bold marks the better side.
Standings snapshot
| DEN | HOU | |
|---|---|---|
| Conference rank | 9th West | 2nd West |
| Record | 4-3 | 7-2 |
| Games back | 2 | 0 |
| Home / road | 2-2 / 2-1 | 4-1 / 3-1 |
| Last 10, streak | 4-3, W1 | 7-2, L1 |
| Point differential | +0.7 | +10.3 |
| Projected wins | 44.4 | 56.0 |
| Playoff chance | 60.6% | 96.1% |
Projections from 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season; full table on NBA futures.
Season leaders
Nuggets leaders
| Player | Pos | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray | G | 7 | 36.9 | 25.4 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 47.4 | 50.9 | 83.0 |
| Nikola Jokic | C | 7 | 35.9 | 23.4 | 9.7 | 9.3 | 50.4 | 21.9 | 87.9 |
| Christian Braun | G | 7 | 35.0 | 14.6 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 54.9 | 42.4 | 83.3 |
| Aaron Gordon | F | 7 | 29.4 | 12.3 | 5.3 | 2.4 | 41.9 | 35.7 | 85.7 |
| DeMar DeRozan | G | 6 | 25.2 | 10.7 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 40.4 | 22.2 | 83.3 |
Rockets leaders
| Player | Pos | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alperen Sengun | C | 7 | 35.1 | 22.4 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 54.1 | 50.0 | 74.4 |
| Kevin Durant | F | 9 | 33.8 | 20.8 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 52.7 | 40.6 | 83.6 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | F | 9 | 34.6 | 17.6 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 50.0 | 49.1 | 86.2 |
| Amen Thompson | G | 9 | 32.6 | 15.4 | 6.3 | 3.3 | 51.0 | 22.2 | 77.5 |
| Fred VanVleet | G | 7 | 30.0 | 13.0 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 39.0 | 34.0 | 86.7 |
Projected starters and rosters
Nuggets starters
- F Aaron Gordon
- F Cameron Johnson
- C Nikola Jokic
- G Jamal Murray
- G Christian Braun
Full Nuggets roster (17)
| No. | Player | Pos | Height | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Marvin Bagley III | F | 6' 10" | 27 |
| 0 | Christian Braun | G | 6' 6" | 25 |
| 7 | Trevon Brazile | F | 6' 10" | 23 |
| 10 | DeMar DeRozan | G | 6' 6" | 37 |
| 11 | Alpha Diallo | F | 6' 7" | 29 |
| 32 | Aaron Gordon | F | 6' 8" | 31 |
| 14 | DaRon Holmes II | F | 6' 9" | 24 |
| 13 | Bryce Hopkins | F | 6' 7" | 24 |
| 23 | Cameron Johnson | F | 6' 8" | 30 |
| 15 | Nikola Jokic | C | 6' 11" | 31 |
| 21 | Spencer Jones | F | 6' 7" | 25 |
| 5 | Tyus Jones | G | 6' 0" | 30 |
| 27 | Jamal Murray | G | 6' 4" | 29 |
| 9 | Ryan Nembhard | G | 5' 11" | 23 |
| 22 | Zeke Nnaji | F | 6' 10" | 25 |
| 1 | Julian Strawther | G | 6' 6" | 24 |
| 00 | Cam Whitmore | F | 6' 6" | 22 |
Rockets starters
- F Kevin Durant
- F Jabari Smith Jr.
- C Alperen Sengun
- G Fred VanVleet
- G Amen Thompson
Both starting fives are from each team's Nov 4 game; confirmed lineups post about 30 minutes before tip.
Full Rockets roster (16)
| No. | Player | Pos | Height | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Steven Adams | C | 6' 11" | 33 |
| 31 | Bogdan Bogdanovic | G | 6' 5" | 34 |
| 30 | Clint Capela | C | 6' 10" | 32 |
| 25 | Quadir Copeland | G | 6' 6" | 23 |
| 27 | Isaiah Crawford | F | 6' 6" | 25 |
| 7 | Kevin Durant | F | 6' 11" | 38 |
| 17 | Tari Eason | F | 6' 8" | 25 |
| 3 | Julian Phillips | F | 6' 6" | 23 |
| 28 | Alperen Sengun | C | 6' 11" | 24 |
| 15 | Reed Sheppard | G | 6' 2" | 22 |
| 36 | Marcus Smart | G | 6' 3" | 32 |
| 10 | Jabari Smith Jr. | F | 6' 11" | 23 |
| 8 | Jae'Sean Tate | F | 6' 4" | 31 |
| 1 | Amen Thompson | G | 6' 7" | 23 |
| 9 | Oscar Tshiebwe | C | 6' 8" | 26 |
| 5 | Fred VanVleet | G | 6' 0" | 32 |
Season series and last five games
Meetings this season
- Nov 9 Nuggets at Rockets, prediction
2025-26 meetings
- Regular season
- Nuggets 3, Rockets 1
- Points per game
- Nuggets 117.5, Rockets 110.5
| Date | Game | Matchup | Score | Winner and margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2026 | Regular season | Rockets at Nuggets | 93-129 | Nuggets by 36 |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Regular season | Rockets at Nuggets | 115-101 | Rockets by 14 |
| Dec 15, 2025 | Regular season | Rockets at Nuggets | 125-128OT | Nuggets by 3 |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Regular season | Nuggets at Rockets | 112-109 | Nuggets by 3 |
Nuggets last five
| Date | Opponent | Result | Closing spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4 | vs Raptors | W 128-109 | −4.5 | W |
| Nov 2 | vs Trail Blazers | L 110-118 | −4.5 | L |
| Oct 30 | @ Suns | W 127-120 | −4.5 | W |
| Oct 28 | @ Pelicans | W 104-91 | −4.5 | W |
| Oct 26 | vs Warriors | L 114-134 | −6.5 | L |
Rockets last five
| Date | Opponent | Result | Closing spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4 | vs Timberwolves | L 107-117 | −7.5 | L |
| Nov 2 | vs Celtics | W 109-93 | −4.5 | W |
| Oct 31 | vs Thunder | W 119-98 | −2.5 | W |
| Oct 30 | @ Mavericks | L 111-116 | −5.5 | L |
| Oct 28 | @ Bucks | W 132-100 | −8.5 | W |