Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse has been a fortress for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, and they’ll look to pad their 12-1 home record against the Denver Nuggets.
Cleveland is holding firm at the top of the East despite bowing out of the NBA Cup, and my Nuggets vs. Cavaliers predictions point to more home cooking for Donovan Mitchell and Co.
Meanwhile, Denver’s erratic play and limited bench production are just adding to the burden on Nikola Jokic’s shoulders, and my NBA picks for this December 5 matchup also signal more offensive fireworks from the big Serbian.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers prediction
My best bet
Cavaliers 1H -2 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
We’ve got a real race for the top spot in the East this year, with no sign of the Cleveland Cavaliers' hot start fizzling out.
Fresh off a win over Boston, the Cavs bring their league-leading offense into this clash with a Nuggets team that’s scoring at a Top 5 clip but allowing the seventh most points per game in the league (116.3).
With Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in sync, I’m riding with the hosts in this spot, and the 1H spread seems to offer the best value, with Cleveland hitting the 1H moneyline in 18 of their last 21 home games. In contrast, the visitors are just 4-15 ATS in the first half this season.
The Cavs boast the highest 1H point differential in the NBA at +7.4, while the Denver Nuggets sit at -4.1 (only three teams have a worse mark), and the hosts also rank first in the league with 32.6 1Q points per game.
As is the case with Denver, the game could swing when its shaky bench unit enters the game. It’s no secret that the Nuggets crater in the short minutes that Jokic is off the court, and they’re getting just 25.5 points per game from their bench, the third-lowest production in the Association.
Kenny Atkinson has unlocked another gear for the surging Cavs this season and I’m comfortable laying a small 1H spread with the deeper, more balanced hosts as they chase another statement victory.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Cavaliers 1H -2
Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points
Darius Garland Over 6.5 assists
Nikola Jokic finished with 38 points in Denver’s 119-115 win over Golden State on Tuesday, and I’m predicting another efficient night from the three-time MVP.
While Cleveland is well equipped to protect the paint with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Jokic has gone past this 28.5 O/U in six of his last eight games, and Mike Malone has no choice but to keep his star man’s minutes in the high 30s.
I also see Garland thriving against Denver’s perimeter defense, including the visitors’ bench unit that has underwhelmed all season. The Cavs guard has piled up seven or more dimes in five of his last eight contests, including eight assists against Boston’s imposing defense over the weekend.
This is another matchup where he and Mitchell can get into the paint at will.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers odds
Nuggets vs Cavaliers live odds
Nuggets vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Denver +3.5 | Cleveland -3.5
- Moneyline: Denver +140 | Cleveland -165
- Over/Under: Over 235.5 | Under 235.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Cavs enter as 4-point favorites, and the line could even be a point or two higher given the Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last nine contests.
- At 16-6 ATS, often as a favorite, Cleveland has been a strong pick all year, while Denver is just 7-11-1 ATS and Jamal Murray continues to blow hot and cold as a scorer.
- Both teams have trended towards the Over this year, with the Cavs going 12-7 O/U and Denver at 13-9 O/U. The Nuggets have scored at least 118 points in seven straight outings.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers trend
Denver has cashed in the 1H Over in 13 of its last 17 contests, highlighting the visitors’ offensive strengths and defensive flaws. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Nuggets vs Cavaliers
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Thursday, 12-5-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Nuggets vs Cavaliers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
