Houston Rockets look to win huge matchup against Nuggets tonight

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets at Pepsi Center on February 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets at Pepsi Center on February 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets have a chance for a big victory tonight. The Denver Nuggets are ahead of them in the standings, so it should be an interesting one, to say the least, in the Toyota Center.

Just because baseball is back doesn’t mean the NBA is going anywhere. The Houston Rockets will host the Denver Nuggets tonight in a huge matchup of two of the best in the Western Conference. Who will prevail?

The Rockets come into tonight after a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. They have still won 7 of their last 10 games, though, and will look to gain a game in the standings against a Nuggets team with a tough schedule the rest of the way.

Only 2 of the remaining 9 games for the Nuggets are against teams with a losing record. One of those is against the Wizards, who have the ability to beat you if you don’t come prepared. We’ll see how the Nuggets fare after almost blowing a lead to the Pistons last time out.

Is the two-seed realistic anymore?

Going into the last stretch of the season, it looked like the Rockets could potentially make a run for the No. 2 seed in the West. The Nuggets were just a few games ahead and had a tougher schedule to finish things off.

Things haven’t gone exactly to plan, though, with a loss to the Grizzlies really hurting the chances for the Rockets. They are now four games back of Denver with just seven games remaining. If Houston can win out and Denver starts losing to these tougher opponents, it’s still possible, I suppose.

The safer option for the Rockets is to want that No. 3 seed. Currently, the Trail Blazers are in control of it, up 0.5 games. However, the Nuggets play the Blazers twice more. Without Jusuf Nurkic (hopefully, he has a speedy recovery, what a tough injury), those should be must-wins for Denver. The No. 2 seed would be nice, but staying out of the Warriors side of the bracket right now is more important for the Rockets to make a run.

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Tonight’s game is very important for the Houston Rockets. They need to keep winning if they want favorable matchups in the playoffs. It starts with a big victory tonight over a tough Denver team. Let’s do this! Also, go Astros as they start their season this afternoon. Go check out climbingtalshill.com for great coverage!