The Rockets have been better as of late, with victories over Dallas, Atlanta, and Oklahoma City. Before those victories, Houston had won just twice in its first fourteen games. Even with those wins, the Rockets are spiraling toward a high lottery selection in the 2023 NBA draft.

Houston has six players averaging over 11 points per game and three averaging over 15. Guards Jalen Green (21.6 PPG) and Kevin Porter Jr. (18.7 PPG) lead the team in scoring. Second-year center Alperen Sengun has been enjoying a fine sophomore season, scoring 15.4 points per game and grabbing 9.0 boards. Houston averages 110.3 points as a team and shoots 44.3 percent from the field, including 35.4 percent from deep. It is third in the NBA with 46.4 rebounds per game.

Houston is surrendering 116.4 points per game on defense on 47.9 shooting from the floor (third-lowest in the league). Its opponents are attacking the glass, too, averaging 42.3 rebounds, the tenth-most rebounds allowed per contest. The Rockets’ offensive rating is 23rd, and their defensive rating is 27th when adjusted for strength of schedule, per Dunks and Threes.

Denver has been knocking on the door of the NBA Finals in recent years but still hasn’t broken through. The Nuggets are playing great team basketball this season and are currently second in the Western Conference. Back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic has been the star, nearly averaging a triple-double (23.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, and 8.8 APG) and ranking first in player-efficiency rating (31.38). His supporting cast isn’t sub-par either, as point guard Jamal Murray (17.3 PPG and 5.0 APG) and forwards Michael Porter Jr. (16.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG) and Aaron Gordon (15.8 PPG and 6.7 RPG) are consistent scoring threats. The Nuggets also benefit from the strong play of point guard Bones Hyland (15.0 PPG and 3.6 APG in 21.5 MPG) off the bench and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s three-point shooting ability (11.6 PPG, 50.0 3P%).

This season, the Nuggets average 115.2 points on 49.7 percent shooting, including 39.8 percent from three-point range. Their shooting marks are both second-best in the NBA. On defense, Denver surrenders 113.8 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting. Their opponents are averaging 40.4 rebounds per game, the second-fewest in the league.

The Nuggets are a little banged up, with Porter Jr. and Jeff Green (7.9 PPG) out Wednesday and Hyland questionable with an illness. All three have missed multiple games recently. Still, this Denver squad handles its business against inferior opponents with strong leadership and coaching.