Zach Thompson details his best player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Monday’s matchup between the Cavaliers and the Nuggets.
The NBA starts the week with a busy schedule, with the All-Star break just a few days away. As part of Monday night’s jam-packed slate, the Cleveland Cavaliers will continue their Western Conference road trip with a stop in the Mile High City to take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
The Nuggets are 1.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the game total lifted to 239.5 points.
The Cavaliers have won eight of their last nine games, picking up three straight victories as they rampage through the West. Holding a 32-21 record and sitting at fourth in the East, they received a strong boost by welcoming deadline acquisition James Harden to the rotation in Saturday’s win over the Kings. They head into Monday’s contest with Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade listed as questionable.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 34-19 and hold the third seed in the West after snapping a three-game skid against the Bulls in Chicago. Nikola Jokic is back from injury and listed as probable for Monday’s matchup. However, Jamal Murray is questionable, while Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson remain out.
Let’s take a look at the top player prop bets from this Cavaliers-Nuggets Monday night matchup. These picks can be used as standalone plays or combined in a Same Game Parlay (SGP).
Cavaliers vs. Nuggets Best Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Cameron Johnson Over 11.5 Points (-108)
Without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson, the Nuggets will lean on Cam Johnson to produce on offense. Johnson missed 24 games due to a right knee bone bruise, but he logged 27 minutes in his return on Saturday. He scored 14 points on six-for-nine efficiency with a pair of three-pointers.
Johnson is averaging 11.8 points per game on the season, but he should see more looks in an expanded role. In 17 games without Gordon this season, Johnson is averaging 14.5 points per game.
Jamal Murray’s questionable tag makes many of the Nuggets’ props unpredictable. Still, Johnson should score at least 12 if Murray plays, with potential for much more otherwise.
The Cavs didn’t just add James Harden at the deadline, also bringing in Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder in a deal with the Kings. Ellis seems to be a strong plug-and-play option in Cleveland’s rotation and has scored exactly six points in each of his first two games with his new team.
If Jaylon Tyson or Dean Wade are out on Monday, Ellis could get some extra run on the win. But even if he stays with the second unit, where he’s averaged 18 minutes per game, he should clear this modest prop at plus money.
Ellis is averaging 5.6 points per game, which came in a wildly volatile role in Sacramento’s ever-shifting backcourt rotation. Now that he has a more stable role in a stronger offense, Ellis should elevate his production and get at least six points once again.
Christian Braun Under 17.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-111)
Christian Braun has had a disappointing season for the Nuggets, with multiple injuries thwarting him from living up to last season’s breakout campaign. He’s been limited to just 17 games this season, averaging 15.8 combined points, rebounds, and assists per game (PRA).
He’s listed as probable for Monday’s contest after playing an average of 37.5 minutes across his last two games against the Knicks and Bulls. Braun fell below this prop line in eight of his last nine games, only clearing it in last Wednesday’s double-overtime marathon in New York. He still only amassed 19 PRA.
Braun could elevate his production if Murray sits out, but he has struggled so much lately that even extra work may not lift him over this PRA prop line. And if Murray suits up, Braun seems increasingly unlikely to pepper the stat sheet.
Bonus Parlay Pick: Dennis Schroder Over 2.5 Assists (-165)
If you’re building an SGP (Same Game Parlay) from this Monday night matchup, adding in Dennis Schroder’s assists line raises the odds to +1000 for these four Cavaliers-Nuggets bets.
Schroder is another player who could get more work if Jaylon Tyson is sidelined. The veteran guard has been working in the second unit with limited minutes, but he’s still racking up solid assist numbers. Schroder is averaging 5.3 assists per game this season, and he dished out four and six dimes across his first two games with Cleveland. While he may be limited to around 15 minutes if the Cavs are healthy, he should still clear this modest 2.5 assists line on Monday night.
