The 2.08m naturalised New Zealander scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help his side seal a comprehensive 103-79 victory.
The game was billed as the battle of the two best big men in the competition. Nuggets centre Antoine Tisby held the No 1 spot on the league's player power rankings, with Horvath in second spot.
Tisby produced another fine performance with 22 points and 10 rebounds. But the night belonged to Horvath, who was unstoppable close to the hoop.
United States import Josh Pace also had a successful night with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Marcel Jones added 22 points.
The 24-point drubbing was always on the cards with the Nuggets losing a vital link earlier in the week when the captain, Mark Dickel, was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Experienced point guard Mike Fitchett was rushed into the squad but the visitors struggled from the start, landing just five of their 20 attempts from the floor, and trailed 20-12 at the break.
Tisby and fellow American Akeem Wright (17 points, seven rebounds) were getting some traction in the paint but Horvath was in dominant form with 16 first-half points, and helped stretch the lead to 12 points by halftime.
Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge always knew his side would have to work hard to regain its offensive chemistry after losing Dickel.
"It was a big ask for him [Fitchett] to come in after not training with us but I thought he added a lot out there. He showed a lot a leadership.
"There is not a lot you can say. Horvath just didn't miss, honestly."
The Nuggets slip to 3-6 and play the Nelson Giants in Nelson tonight. The Giants have won the last 16 encounters between the two teams and will start as strong favourites.
On Wednesday night, Lindsay Tait guided the Auckland Pirates to a convincing 114-88 win against the Taranaki Mountain Airs in Auckland. The Tall Blacks point guard scored 35 points and made 11 assists.
Jets v Nuggets
The scores
Jets ... 103
Nick Horvath 29, Marcel Jones 22, Josh Pace 21
Nuggets ... 79
Antoine Tisby 22, Akeem Wright 17, Mike Fitchett 11
Quarter 20-12, halftime 49-37, third quarter 77-61.
