This is a true stop-the-pain game for the Rockets. They have lost four in a row with the latest being a 112-107 home loss to the Thunder on Monday. James Harden missed 16 of 17 shots from 3-point range. Harden is shooting 18 percent from the floor during this losing skid.
Harden and the Rockets are overdue to perform much better. This spot sets up for them. 
The Nuggets have beaten up five patsies in going 6-2 in their last eight games. Denver, though, is missing three starters - Paul Millsap, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray. This marks the Nuggets' third game in four days. The Nuggets have a terrible history in Houston losing the past seven times there. The teams meet again four days later in Denver.
Houston hosted Denver on Dec. 31 and won, 130-104. That was the Rockets' 11th victory in the past 13 meetings versus Denver.