{"id":515524,"date":"2026-01-04T06:27:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:27:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/515524\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T06:27:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:27:32","slug":"nuggets-at-cavaliers-odds-picks-and-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/515524\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuggets at Cavaliers odds, picks and predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Nuggets<\/a> (23-10) face the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> (19-16) Friday. Tip-off from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n

’24-25 season series: Cleveland won 2-0<\/p>\n

The Nuggets snuck past the Toronto Raptors Wednesday 106-103. They were 7-point underdogs in the third leg of their lengthy road trip. Already without superstar C Nikola Jokic (knee), they lost his replacement C Jonas Valanciunas (calf) after he dropped 17 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks in 23 minutes. F Peyton Watson led the way with 24 points and 8 boards. They’re going to need G Jamal Murray’s continued production in Jokic’s absence. Murray is averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game (PPG).<\/p>\n

The Cavs routed the Phoenix Suns 129-113 Wednesday as 6.5-point favorites. G Donovan Mitchell led the charge with 34 points, 10 boards and 7 assists. At 29, Spida is averaging a career-high 29.7 PPG. The Cavs have won 4 of 6 after a slow start to the season.<\/p>\n

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Nuggets at Cavaliers odds<\/p>\n

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Cavaliers -800 (bet $800 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +13.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -13.5 (-110)Over\/Under (O\/U): 240.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Nuggets at Cavaliers key injuries<\/p>\n

Nuggets<\/p>\n

G Christian Braun (ankle) outF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) outF Cam Johnson (knee) outC Nikola Jokic (knee) outG Jamal Murray (ankle) probableG Julian Strawther (illness) probableC Jonas Valanciunas (calf) out<\/p>\n

Cavaliers<\/p>\n

F De’Andre Hunter (illness) questionableG Sam Merrill (ankle) questionableF Larry Nance Jr. (calf) outG Max Strus (foot) out<\/p>\n

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nuggets at Cavaliers picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n

Cavaliers 130, Nuggets 119<\/p>\n

There’s no play here with the Cavs massive favorites. With the Nuggets so thin at center, I’ll take JARRETT ALLEN OVER 9.5 REBOUNDS (+100). He has reached that mark in 2 straight.<\/p>\n

The Cavs are just 4-6 ATS in their last 10. This is such a large spread that I’m going with NUGGETS +13.5 (-110). They are tops in the NBA at 40.2% from downtown.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets weren’t a really good defense even with Jokic in the lineup as they’re tied for 22nd in defensive rating on the season. The Cavs are physical underneath and chuck a bunch of 3’s with the fourth-best 3-pointers made per game. I’ll take the OVER 240.5 (-110).<\/p>\n

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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