Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle

Staff Writer

The Denver Nuggets (51-23) welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-29) to Ball Arena Sunday. Tip is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Cavaliers vs. Nuggetsodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Cavaliers lead 1-0 after 129-109 home win on Nov. 19

The Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-98 Friday, failing to cover as a 3-point home favorite. Denver has lost 2 straight games, both at home, following a 4-game win streak. The Nuggets are just 2-5 against the spread (ATS) over their last 7 and 33-40-1 ATS on the season. They are led by C Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 26.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.

The Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 117-114 Friday, failing to cover as a 6.5-point home favorite. They have won 2 of their last 6 games and are 1-5 ATS over that span; 35-39 ATS on the season. It is led by G Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 27.1 points per game.

Cavaliers at Nuggets odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +184 (bet $100 to win $184) | Nuggets -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +5.5 (-110) | Nuggets -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 216 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Cavaliers at Nuggets key injuries

Cavaliers

G Caris LeVert (illness) probable

Nuggets

C Nikola Jokic (hip) probable
F Jamal Murray (knee) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Cavaliers at Nuggets picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 110, Cavaliers 107

Moneyline

PASS.

The Nuggets are too expensive at -220, and the Cavaliers (+184), while a solid team, are unlikely to go on the road and beat the defending champs, making their plus-money value not a great play.

Against the spread

BET CAVALIERS +5.5 (-110).

The Nuggets are cold. They have lost 2 straight games, both at home against opponents set to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers are another quality opponent and could give Denver a tough time offensively.

The Nuggets have shot under 30% in 2 straight games and will be taking the team ranked 6th in defensive rating. The Cavaliers haven't covered well as of late, but they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 5 or more.

That said, considering those trends, back CAVALIERS +5.5 (-110).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 216 (-110).

The Cavaliers have been hot offensively over the last 4 games, scoring at least 111 points in their last 3. Their defense has also been lacking over their last 4, allowing 114 or more in 3 of their last 4. They have gone Over in 6 of their last 8 as well.

The Nuggets have gone Over in 4 of their last 6 and have tallied at least 113 points in 4 of those 6. They rank 7th in offensive rating, so their shooting should improve.

Back OVER 216 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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