PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets travel to the Toyota Center to battle the Houston Rockets on Friday night. Denver has won 11 of their first 14 games and will look to extend their momentum after defeating New Orleans on the road. Houston has been equally impressive, reeling off 10 wins from their past 11 games and riding a five-game winning streak following a victory over Cleveland. Both clubs rank among the league's elite on offense, with the Nuggets leading the league in scoring at 124.6 points per game while the Rockets sit second at 123.9 points per game. Nikola Jokic continues to lead Denver's charge, averaging 29.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game, making him the focal point of an offense built on balance and execution. Kevin Durant leads Houston with 25.5 points per game, while Alperen Sengun averages 23.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. The Nuggets remain without Julian Strawther and Christian Braun, while the Rockets monitor the status of Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr. This matchup shapes up as a clash between two Western Conference heavyweights eager to prove their playoff credentials against elite competition.