NBA · Final/OT

Nuggets Edge Rockets in Overtime Thriller

125

128

Monday, December 15, 2025, 9:30 PM ET · Ball Arena

Denver Nuggets 128, Houston Rockets 125, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets?

Denver Nuggets beat Houston Rockets 128-125 at Ball Arena on December 15, 2025.

Who was favored in Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets?

Houston Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Houston Rockets with a final score of 128-125 after overtime at Ball Arena. This victory marks the Nuggets' third consecutive win against the Rockets, extending their lead in the season series to 3-0. The Nuggets now boast a home record of 20-6, while the Rockets fall to 16-8 on the road.

The Nuggets entered this game with a strong home record of 19-6 and were riding a four-game winning streak, having averaged 126.7 points while allowing 119.8 points in their last ten games. Their recent form included notable victories against teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Hornets. In contrast, the Rockets, with an away record of 16-7, had also been performing well, winning seven of their last ten games, although they had just come off a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Houston's scoring average in their recent games was 115.7, with an average of 107.0 points allowed.

The matchup was particularly significant not only because of the teams' standings but also due to the injury situation affecting both rosters. The Nuggets had Aaron Gordon and Trevon Brazile listed as day-to-day, while the Rockets were managing injuries to Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams, all also day-to-day. This uncertainty added an extra layer of intrigue to the game as both teams had to adjust their strategies without key players.

The odds from DraftKings indicated a close contest, with the Rockets favored by 1.5 points and a total set at 236.5. The betting lines reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with the Nuggets at -105 on the money line and the Rockets at -115.

As the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were prepared for a battle. The Nuggets, led by their star Nikola Jokic, who contributed significantly in the overtime period, managed to secure the win despite a valiant effort from the Rockets, particularly from Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. The scoring plays in overtime showcased the intensity of the game, with Jokic making crucial free throws and Smith Jr. attempting to keep the Rockets in contention with a key two-point shot.

The Nuggets' victory in this high-stakes game emphasizes their strong home performance and ability to close out games under pressure, while the Rockets will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back from this narrow defeat. As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions in the playoff race, making each matchup increasingly significant.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	HOU -1.5	236.5 o -112 / u -108	Houston Rockets -115 · Denver Nuggets -105

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Aaron GordonDay-To-DayCalfDenver Nuggets
Trevon BrazileDay-To-DayUndisclosedDenver Nuggets
Kevin DurantDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
Fred VanVleetDay-To-DayKneeHouston Rockets
Steven AdamsDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets

Leaders

PointsNikola Jokic39Denver Nuggets
AssistsNikola Jokic10Denver Nuggets
ReboundsNikola Jokic15Denver Nuggets
PointsAlperen Sengun33Houston Rockets
AssistsAlperen Sengun10Houston Rockets
ReboundsAmen Thompson12Houston Rockets

Recent form

Denver Nuggets

Last 10: 7-3Streak W4126.7 scored · 119.8 allowed per game0-3 at home

W136-105at Sacramento KingsDec 12
W115-106at Charlotte HornetsDec 7
W134-133at Atlanta HawksDec 6
W135-120at Indiana PacersDec 4
L121-131vs Dallas MavericksDec 2
W130-112at Phoenix SunsNov 30
L136-139vs San Antonio SpursNov 29
W125-115at Memphis GrizzliesNov 25
L123-128vs Sacramento KingsNov 23
W112-109at Houston RocketsNov 22

Houston Rockets

Last 10: 7-3Streak W1115.7 scored · 107 allowed per game4-2 away

W115-113vs LA ClippersDec 12
L109-122at Dallas MavericksDec 7
W117-98vs Phoenix SunsDec 6
W121-95vs Sacramento KingsDec 4
L125-133at Utah JazzDec 2
W129-101at Utah JazzNov 30
W104-100at Golden State WarriorsNov 27
W114-92at Phoenix SunsNov 25
L109-112vs Denver NuggetsNov 22
W114-104at Cleveland CavaliersNov 20

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
San Antonio	-	20	L1	.756	62
Houston	10	30	W1	.634	52
New Orleans	36	56	L2	.317	26
Dallas	36	56	W1	.317	26
Memphis	37	57	L8	.305	25
Oklahoma City	-	18	L2	.780	64
Denver	10	28	W12	.659	54
Minnesota	15	33	W2	.598	49
Portland	22	40	W2	.512	42
Utah	42	60	L1	.268	22

Box score

Stat	Houston Rockets	Denver Nuggets
Field goals	47-93	43-85
Field goal %	51	51
Three-pointers	12-25	15-34
Three-point %	48	44
Free throws	19-26	27-33
Free throw %	73	82
Rebounds	46	38
Offensive rebounds	12	7
Defensive rebounds	34	31
Assists	29	24
Steals	7	10
Blocks	8	4
Turnovers	16	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	3	2
Technical fouls, total	3	2
Flagrant fouls	0	1
Points off turnovers	17	12
Fast-break points	10	13
Points in the paint	56	42
Fouls	25	28
Largest lead	9	9
Lead changes	17	17
Time in front	42	43

How the scoring went

4th Quarter91-92Alperen Sengun makes 12-foot jumper (Amen Thompson assists)
4th Quarter93-92Reed Sheppard makes 20-foot step back jumpshot (Alperen Sengun assists)
4th Quarter93-95Jamal Murray makes 25-foot running pullup jump shot (Cameron Johnson assists)
4th Quarter95-95Alperen Sengun makes two point shot
4th Quarter95-97Nikola Jokic makes two point shot
4th Quarter95-98Jamal Murray makes technical free throw
4th Quarter95-99Jamal Murray makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter95-100Jamal Murray makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter96-100Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter97-100Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter97-102Nikola Jokic makes 15-foot two point shot
4th Quarter100-102Reed Sheppard makes 23-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)
4th Quarter101-102Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter102-102Alperen Sengun makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter102-103Spencer Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter102-105Nikola Jokic makes 8-foot two point shot
4th Quarter104-105Alperen Sengun makes 10-foot two point shot
4th Quarter104-108Nikola Jokic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jamal Murray assists)
4th Quarter104-109Cameron Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter107-109Jabari Smith Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Alperen Sengun assists)
4th Quarter109-109Alperen Sengun makes 11-foot jumper (Kevin Durant assists)
4th Quarter109-112Nikola Jokic makes 28-foot three point jumper
4th Quarter112-112Reed Sheppard makes 26-foot three pointer
4th Quarter112-115Spencer Jones makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nikola Jokic assists)
4th Quarter115-115Kevin Durant makes 27-foot three pointer (Alperen Sengun assists)
4th Quarter115-116Jamal Murray makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter117-116Alperen Sengun makes 2-foot two point shot
4th Quarter117-117Jamal Murray makes free throw 1 of 1
OT117-119Jamal Murray makes 10-foot two point shot
OT117-121Jamal Murray makes driving layup
OT117-124Spencer Jones makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nikola Jokic assists)
OT119-124Alperen Sengun makes driving layup
OT121-124Jabari Smith Jr. makes 8-foot two point shot (Kevin Durant assists)
OT121-125Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
OT121-126Nikola Jokic makes free throw 2 of 2
OT122-126Reed Sheppard makes free throw 1 of 2
OT122-127Jamal Murray makes free throw 1 of 2
OT122-128Jamal Murray makes free throw 2 of 2
OT124-128Alperen Sengun makes 1-foot layup (Reed Sheppard assists)
OT125-128Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 1