Event Details
- Date and Time: Friday, December 27, 2024, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
- Competition: NBA Regular Season Game
Odds via 20Bet
| Odds via 20bet | |
| Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers | Friday, December 27, 2024, 9:00 PM ET |
| Denver Nuggets Odds | -101 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers Odds | -122 |
| Over\Under | Over 225.5 |
Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been up and down over the last month, winning 6 of their last 10 matches. Like in years past, the Nuggets have continued to struggle whenever Nikola Jokić stops off the court, and excel the moment he steps on, causing issues when it comes to rotations. With a ridiculous BPM of 12.43 this season, Jokić is easily the most impactful player in the NBA.
Final pic.twitter.com/QOwDXsHcf1
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 26, 2024
As we mentioned, the offence comes to a standstill when Jokić steps off the court, as Jamal Murray has struggled to lead the offence in any meaningful way. However, their defence does manage to hold up, as athletic guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon still showcase some elite perimeter defence.
Jokić will definitely have his work cut out for him playing against the Cavaliers, but if the other roleplayers on the team come through, Denver has a decent shot at taking the game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire so far this year, with a 26-4 record; they’ve been incredibly dominant. With Donovan Mitchell at the helm, key role players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have all stepped into their own to create one of the deepest rosters in the NBA.
All-Star backcourt. ⭐️
VOTE DON & DG: https://t.co/0gYVvMs7MX@Kia | #BestToTheBay pic.twitter.com/xd97LFUZS9
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 24, 2024
It’s rare to find a roster where 10 players average 20 minutes or more a night, but even the bench players like Georges Niang and Sam Merill have been putting up some decent numbers. An elite offence, elite defense, and young players athletic enough to keep up in transition—what else does a team need?
Cleveland will likely struggle to shut down Jokić, but with their depth, they should have a solid shot at walking away with this one.
Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
- Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers to win
- Odds: -122 (20Bet)
- Score prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers 123 – Denver Nuggets 115
The Denver Nuggets may be an elite team, but they have their work cut out for them if they want to beat the Cavaliers, considering their teams are built with opposing philosophies. The Nuggets are centred around a single superstar, while Cleveland attacks you from all angles with a deep roster of elite players.
Donovan Mitchell will likely lead the charge from the PG position, commanding the offence and giving guys like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley room to play their games. Their inside scoring will likely be limited, but their shooting has been efficient enough to make up for a lack of inside shots.
🕸️ Tough move. Tough bucket. @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/jxy508pqrS
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 24, 2024
On the defensive end of the ball, Cleveland’s perimeter defence will be smothering, but again, they’ll likely struggle to keep Jokić contained in any way.
On Denver’s side of things, a ton of pressure is going to be on Jokić, as he’ll need to create most of the offence while holding it down on the inside defensively. Plainly put, without Jokić in the game, the Nuggets will likely struggle, getting locked up on the perimeter while Jarrett Allen clogs up the paint.
All in all, this is really Cleveland’s game to lose, as they should be able to put away the Nuggets if they play their game and don’t let Jokić completely dictate the pace of the game.
Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers, Betting Tip
- Pick: Nikola to score Jokić more than 37.5
- Odds: -110 (20Bet)
Nikola Jokić has been on an absolute tear this year, averaging all-time-great numbers, including a hefty 30.7 points per game. With that in mind, Jokić scoring more than 27.5 in a game where he should have a very high usage rate isn’t too far-fetched.
- Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers to win both halves
- Odds: +290 (20Bet)
While Jokić may try his best, the Cavaliers have been the best team in the NBA so far this season and will likely win both halves. IF Jokić leaves the floor for even 5 minutes, the Cavs will likely put the Nuggets into a hole they’ll struggle to get out of.
Where to Watch (USA, Canada)
- TSN (Canada)
- Sportsnet (Canada)
- NBA League Pass (USA)
- ESPN+ (USA)
- Fubo (USA)
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