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Cleveland-Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets December 5th 2024
At 7:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-170) will host the Denver Nuggets (+144) in a non-conference matchup. The Cavs are favored by 3.5 points and have won two straight games. The Nuggets are 11-8 and currently sit 8th in the Western Conference. The over/under line for this game is 237.5.
This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and can be seen on NBA TV. The Cavs are 19-3 and sit atop the Eastern Conference. The Nuggets are 2nd in the Northwest Division.
Nuggets vs. Cavaliers Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers
- Where: Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
- Date: Thursday, December 5th
- Betting Odds CLE -3.5, DEN +144 | CLE -170 O/U 237.5
The Nuggets Can Win If…
Denver improved to 11-8 on the season with a 119-115 win over the Warriors on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Nuggets were favored by 5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game came in at 234, just under the O/U line of 236.5.
A key moment in the game was a 12-0 run by the Nuggets, which turned a 54-44 deficit into a 56-54 lead. Denver led 90-85 going into the 4th quarter and held on for the win, despite being outscored 30-29 in the final period.
Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to a win over the Warriors, scoring 38 points, 15 of which came in the 4th quarter. He also added 10 rebounds and 6 assists, shooting 58.3% from the field and 75% from three, hitting 3 threes in the game.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 50.6% from the field and 45.8% from three, making 11 threes. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 22 points, while Aaron Gordon added 15 points, hitting 3 threes at a 75% rate.
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Defensively, the Nuggets gave up 115 points to the Warriors but did enough to secure the win. They allowed 31 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, giving up 26. Denver conceded 28 points in the 3rd and 30 in the 4th.
The Nuggets held the Warriors to 31% shooting from three, with Golden State making 12 threes. Denver sent the Warriors to the line 21 times, where they hit 15 free throws. The Nuggets also recorded 9 steals and 5 blocks.
- The Nuggets are 2-1 ATS in their three last road games and 2-1 straight-up.
- The Nuggets have played well in their last five games as the betting underdog, going 3-2 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
- Over their last five games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Cavaliers Can Win If…
The Cavaliers improved to 19-3 this season with a dominant 118-87 win over the Wizards on Tuesday. Playing at home, Cleveland entered the game as -16.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 205, falling well short of the 234.5 O/U line.
Cleveland set the tone early, jumping out to a 35-20 lead after the 1st quarter. A 10-0 run pushed their lead from 40-28 to 50-28, and they closed out the game strong by outscoring Washington 32-20 in the 4th quarter.
Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell each scored 19 points in the Cavaliers’ win over the Wizards, with Mobley adding 10 rebounds and shooting 50% from the field. Mitchell hit 4 threes at a 50% clip, while Sam Merrill also connected on 4 triples, shooting 44.4% from deep and contributing 14 points.
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The Cavs made 16 threes as a team, shooting 34.8% from beyond the arc and 48.3% overall. Mobley scored 11 points in the 1st quarter, while Mitchell added 8 points in the 4th to help secure the victory.
The Cavaliers put on a defensive clinic against the Wizards, allowing just 87 points in their win on Tuesday. Cleveland held Washington to 20 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, with the Wizards scoring 22 in the 2nd and 25 in the 3rd.
From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers were especially effective, limiting the Wizards to just 4 made threes on 15% shooting. Cleveland also recorded 11 steals and 4 blocks in the game.
- Across their ten previous home games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 7-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 117 points per game.
- In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 2-1 in these scenarios.
- In their last three games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Not only do we have the Cavaliers winning this one by a score of 129-121, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Cavaliers at -3.5.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 237.5 and given that our model is projecting 250 points between the teams, we like the over.
Top Offenses Collide as Cavaliers Face Nuggets
Two of the NBA’s most potent offenses are set to clash on Thursday night when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Denver Nuggets in what promises to be a high-octane matchup.
Cavaliers Seek Momentum
Cleveland, which boasts the league’s best record at 19-3, is coming off a dominant 118-87 victory over the Washington Wizards in NBA Cup play on Tuesday. Seven Cavaliers scored in double figures, including standout performances from Evan Mobley (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Donovan Mitchell (19 points, seven assists, five rebounds).
Mitchell, Cleveland’s top scorer at 24.3 points per game, emphasized his commitment to evolving as a player:
“Everybody in this league pretty much knows me as a scorer. For me, it’s just finding ways to become the best player I can be,” he said.
The Cavaliers weathered minor injury scares to key players during Tuesday’s win. Both Darius Garland, who left after a collision with Jonas Valanciunas, and Mitchell, who suffered a shoulder stinger, are expected to play Thursday. Garland, averaging 20.3 points and a team-best 6.7 assists, reassured fans:
“I’m good. I’m alive.”
Jokic, Nuggets Provide Stiff Test
Denver enters the matchup after a hard-fought 119-115 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, led by Nikola Jokic. The reigning three-time MVP delivered a masterful performance with 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals.
Jokic is putting up historic numbers this season, averaging 30.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. If sustained, these stats would place him in elite company, joining Oscar Robertson and teammate Russell Westbrook as the only players to average a triple-double over a full season.
Jokic praised his supporting cast, including Westbrook and Christian Braun, for their defensive energy and hustle during Tuesday’s win:
“Those guys are winners. Winners make those kinds of moves and plays. I’m happy to have them on my team.”
The Nuggets feature six players averaging double-figure scoring, including Michael Porter Jr. (18.7 points), Jamal Murray (17.7), and Aaron Gordon (14.8). Denver’s 118.1 points per game rank fifth in the NBA, while their 30.4 assists per contest are second in the league.
Key Matchup: Jokic vs. Cleveland’s Defense
The Cavaliers lead the NBA in scoring at 121.8 points per game and are lethal from all over the floor, ranking first in both 2-point (.590) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.402). Denver’s defense, anchored by Jokic’s versatility, will need to counter Cleveland’s balanced attack.
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Cleveland’s frontcourt, led by Mobley and Jarrett Allen, will have their hands full containing Jokic, whose ability to score, rebound, and facilitate makes him a matchup nightmare.
What’s at Stake
A win for Cleveland would mark their first three-game winning streak since their 15-0 start, while Denver looks to maintain momentum as they climb the Western Conference standings. Both teams will aim to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent, making this one of the most intriguing matchups of the week.
