The Houston Rockets will make the trip to Colorado’s Ball Arena to take on their Western Conference rival in the hunt for some revenge for a loss earlier this season this Saturday (Dec. 20) evening. With the Nuggets having bested the Rockets 112-109 on their own home court and then again 128-125 on the road, it would be especially sweet for Houston to return the favor on the road (or at home, at this point).
But the Rockets have been on something of a skid in recent games (albeit close losses in overtime) while Denver has been trending in the opposite direction. Houston can come away with a win here, but they will need to bring their A game and hope for a little luck from the basketball gods given the way things have been unfolding of late.
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Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 16-8 record, which puts them in the Western Conference standings’ fifth-place slot.
Dec 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Nuggets are the owners of a 20-6 record, good enough for second place in the West.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Houston lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 133-128 on the road.
Dec 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) and forward Kevin Durant (7) defend on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in overtime at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Denver beat the Orlando Magic126-115 at home.
Injuries
For Houston, Tari Eason (leg), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) and Fred VanVleet (ACL) are out.
Jan 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dribbles the ball up court against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) and guard Fred VanVleet (5) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
For Denver, Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) are out, and Peyton Watson (trunk) is questionable.
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Probable starting lineups – Houston
Nov 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Probable starting lineups – DenverHere’s when you should tune in to see the game:
TV Channel: Space City Home Network
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets at Nuggets: Stream, lineups, injury reports, broadcast (12/20)