NFL Pickwatch - Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Player Props, Picks and Predictions

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 12/5/2024 7:00 PM EST

We have your Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Denver Nuggets hit the road to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Denver Nuggets +150 (bet365) / Cleveland Cavaliers -170 (Caesars)
Best Spread Odds: -4.0 - Denver Nuggets -112 (FanDuel) / Cleveland Cavaliers -108 (FanDuel)
Best Total Odds: 237.5 - Under -110 (bet365) / Over -110 (bet365)

Game Info

Date: 12/5/2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH)
TV: NBA TV

Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

On the road, the Denver Nuggets have 5 wins and 4 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Denver Nuggets have 3 wins and 2 losses this season.
Overall this season, the Denver Nuggets have 11 wins and 8 losses.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

At home, the Cleveland Cavaliers have 12 wins and 1 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Cleveland Cavaliers have 17 wins and 2 losses this season.
Overall this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have 19 wins and 3 losses.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past three seasons, the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers have faced off four times, with the Nuggets emerging victorious in three of those encounters. The games have predominantly favored the home team, which has won three out of the four matchups. The Nuggets have consistently performed well against the spread, covering it in three games, while the Cavaliers managed to cover the spread only once. In terms of scoring, the games have generally been high-scoring affairs, with the total points going over the set line in three of the four games. The only instance where the total score matched the over-under line resulted in a push.

The most recent game between these two teams took place on March 31, 2024, where the Denver Nuggets secured a decisive victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 130-101. The Nuggets, playing at home, were the favorites with a point spread of -4.5 and comfortably covered it with a 29-point margin. Nikola Jokic led the charge for Denver, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also made significant contributions, scoring 19 and 22 points, respectively, with impressive shooting from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers struggled with shooting efficiency, finishing at 46.3% from the field, and were outperformed in rebounding, with the Nuggets grabbing 51 boards compared to Cleveland's 28. The game saw a high level of three-point shooting accuracy from Denver, who made 21 of 33 attempts, contributing to the game going over the set over-under line of 217.5.

In the other three games, the Nuggets continued to demonstrate their dominance, winning two out of three matchups. The only game the Cavaliers won was on November 19, 2023, when they defeated the Nuggets 121-109 at home, covering the spread as underdogs. In that game, Cleveland showcased a strong offensive performance, shooting 54.9% from the field and securing a total of 47 rebounds. The Nuggets, despite their loss, maintained a competitive shooting percentage and managed to score 109 points. Overall, the historical data indicates a trend of high-scoring games between these two teams, with Denver often coming out on top, especially when playing at home.

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers, boasting the league's best record at 19-3, are set to host the Denver Nuggets, who stand at 11-8, in what promises to be an electrifying matchup. The Cavaliers are riding high after a commanding 118-87 victory over the Washington Wizards, a game that saw seven players score in double figures. Donovan Mitchell, who leads the team with 24.3 points per game, and Darius Garland, averaging 20.3 points and a team-leading 6.7 assists, are both expected to play despite minor injuries sustained in their last outing. Cleveland's offensive prowess is evident as they lead the NBA in scoring, averaging 121.8 points per game, and are top-ranked in both 2-point and 3-point field goal percentages.

On the other side, the Denver Nuggets are coming off a hard-fought 119-115 win against the Golden State Warriors, led by the indomitable Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP, Jokic, is having a stellar season, averaging a near triple-double with 30.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. His performance against the Warriors, where he notched 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals, underscores his critical role in Denver's success. The Nuggets, averaging 118.1 points per game, are also formidable on offense, ranking fifth in the league, and are second in assists per game, showcasing their ability to move the ball effectively.

This clash at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be a test of offensive might, with both teams capable of lighting up the scoreboard. The Cavaliers, with their home-court advantage and a near-perfect record at home, will look to extend their winning streak and maintain their dominance. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, who have shown resilience on the road, will aim to leverage Jokic's multifaceted game to challenge Cleveland's defense. As both teams are among the top scoring units in the league, fans can expect a high-octane encounter that could very well come down to the wire.

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers Moneyline

The Cleveland Cavaliers are poised to continue their dominant start to the season as they face the Denver Nuggets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With a stellar 19-3 record, the Cavaliers have established themselves as the team to beat, boasting the league's best record. Their recent 118-87 victory over the Washington Wizards showcased their depth and offensive prowess, with seven players scoring in double figures. Donovan Mitchell, leading the team with 24.3 points per game, and Darius Garland, averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 assists, are both expected to play despite minor injuries, further solidifying Cleveland's formidable lineup.

The Cavaliers' offensive efficiency is unmatched, as they lead the NBA in scoring with an average of 121.8 points per game. They also top the league in both 2-point and 3-point field goal percentages, underscoring their ability to score from anywhere on the court. At home, Cleveland has been nearly unbeatable, with a 12-1 record, and they have consistently performed well as favorites, with a 17-2 record in such situations. This home-court advantage, combined with their offensive firepower, makes them a formidable opponent for any team.

While the Denver Nuggets, led by the indomitable Nikola Jokic, present a significant challenge, the Cavaliers' depth and efficiency give them the edge. Jokic is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging a near triple-double with 30.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. However, the Nuggets have struggled on the road, with a 5-4 record, and have shown vulnerabilities that the Cavaliers are well-equipped to exploit.

Given Cleveland's impressive home record, their league-leading offensive statistics, and the depth of their roster, the Cavaliers are well-positioned to secure a victory against the Nuggets. The combination of Mitchell's scoring ability and Garland's playmaking, along with the support of a strong bench, makes the Cavaliers a safe bet to continue their winning streak. Therefore, the pick is for the Cleveland Cavaliers to win on the moneyline.

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Top Player Prop Picks

Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 Rebounds -110 (DraftKings)

Nikola Jokic has been a dominant force for the Denver Nuggets, consistently putting up impressive numbers across the board. Averaging 13 rebounds per game this season, Jokic is well-positioned to surpass the 11.5 rebounds line set for this matchup. His recent performance against the Golden State Warriors, where he recorded 10 rebounds, further underscores his ability to control the boards. Given the Cavaliers' high-scoring offense, Jokic's presence in the paint will be crucial for the Nuggets to limit second-chance opportunities. With his track record of strong rebounding performances, betting on Jokic to exceed 11.5 rebounds is a solid choice.

Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 3Fgm -130 (bet365)

Donovan Mitchell has been a key offensive weapon for the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the team with 24.3 points per game. His proficiency from beyond the arc is a significant part of his scoring arsenal, as evidenced by his 6-for-11 performance from three-point range in a recent game against the Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers' offensive strategy heavily relies on Mitchell's ability to stretch the floor, and with the Nuggets' defense focusing on containing Cleveland's high-powered offense, Mitchell is likely to find opportunities to shoot from deep. Given his recent form and the Cavaliers' league-leading three-point shooting percentage, Mitchell is well-equipped to hit over 3.5 three-pointers in this contest.

Christian Braun Under 17.5 Points Rebounds -111 (DraftKings)

Christian Braun has been a valuable contributor for the Denver Nuggets, but his role in the team's rotation suggests that the under on 17.5 combined points and rebounds is a prudent bet. While Braun has shown flashes of potential, the Nuggets' offense is primarily driven by Nikola Jokic and other key players like Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. With the Cavaliers boasting a strong defensive unit, particularly at home where they have a 12-1 record, Braun may find it challenging to accumulate significant stats in this matchup. Considering the depth of the Nuggets' roster and the defensive prowess of the Cavaliers, Braun is likely to fall short of the 17.5 line.