Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4) vs. Denver Nuggets (16-12)
December 27, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets +1.5; Over/Under: +236
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers pay a visit to the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in great form as they’ve reeled off nine wins in their past 10 games and they will be gunning for a sixth straight victory after beating the Jazz in a 124-113 win on Monday. Darius Garland led the team with 23 points and eight assists, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell each scored 22 points while Sam Merrill chipped in with 20 points.
As a team, the Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 20 of 46 from the 3-point line as they battled with the Jazz in a tightly contested first half, before they broke free with a 39-point burst in the third quarter to pull away and won easily at home where they are now 17-1 on the season. The Cavs will face the Warriors following this one.
Denver Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in great form as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, but they will be looking for a better effort after getting routed by the Suns in a 110-100 road defeat on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists, Michael Porter Jr added 22 points while Russell Westbrook chipped in with 17 points off the bench.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and eight of 29 from the 3-point line as they started to fall behind in the first half despite scoring 34 points in the first quarter, and things only got worse in the second half where they managed just 44 points. Aaron Gordon scored just seven points while Christian Braun scored just five points on two of seven shooting.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last four games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Cavaliers.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games after losing as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last seven road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavaliers are still keeping an eye on Dean Wade who is questionable for this one, while the Nuggets have ruled out Aaron Gordon for this game. The Cavaliers have barely missed a step over the past three weeks and they are coming into this riding a five-game win streak, while the Nuggets were on a great run themselves before they dropped a game against the Suns on Christmas Day. It’s tempting to take the Nuggets as the slight underdogs at home, but the Cavaliers have been the more consistent team all season, and I think they stay hot with a win in this one.
