Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets game preview

The Denver Nuggets are one of the few teams playing as well as the Houston Rockets right now. Winners of their last three games, the team from Mile High is flying in the stratosphere right now.

First, they won a thriller over the Oklahoma City Thunder, then they knocked off the champs in a come-from-behind victory. Then for good measure they used a strong third quarter to win comfortably over the Charlotte Hornets. All-in-all, this is a surging Nuggets squad that feels like they can beat anyone. Tonight, they will take their show on the road. They have been off since Monday while the Rockets have played twice during that time.

Jamal Murray is turning into a star in front of our eyes right now. He carried the Nuggets late against the Thunder in what is probably the game of the year.

Houston might finally be healthy again. Trevor Ariza is slated to return tonight, and Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson could and should be available after sitting out in Miami. All are technically day-to-day as of this writing.

I know the trade market was odd this year and that a lot of teams stood pat. Outside of Cleveland, none of the real contenders made any big moves. While that was partially due to the state of the trade market, the Rockets sent a message to its players that they’re enough to go all the way. There assuredly isn’t that same sense of disappointment that the Astros felt after the non-waiver trade deadline.

The Nuggets traded Emmanuel Mudiay at the deadline in a three-team deal with Dallas and New York. Denver received Devin Harris in the deal, but he’s unlikely to be available in time to play tonight.

Tip-off is at 7pm CT