The Denver Nuggets (23-10) travel to the Rocket Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-16) at 7:30PM ET.
It has been a turbulent season so far for Cleveland. They are just two defeats away from their total loss tally last season and we have barely reached the halfway mark. In December, Cleveland stumbled against struggling teams such as Portland & Charlotte. Losing seven games in total. But Kenny Atkinson’s side have bounced back well in their last two games, beating the San Antonio Spurs & Phoenix Suns in emphatic style.
The Denver Nuggets have been a standout team in the West for years. The 2022-23 NBA Champions have been a top 4 seed in the past three seasons and look set to make it a fourth if they continue at their current rate. Their chances of securing home court in the first round of the playoffs has taken a slight dent after three time MVP winner Nikola Jokic went off with a hyper-extended knee injury against the Miami Heat on December 29th. Nikola Jokic led this year’s NBA power rankings before his injury, averaging a staggering 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, & 11.0 assists per game.
Denver won their first match without Jokic on Wednesday, beating the Raptors 106-103. They fielded a reduced rotation of eight players, all of whom played 20+ minutes. A major concern tonight is that backup centre Jonas Valuanciunas is also unavailable.
Betting Markets:
- Denver Nuggets ML (+550)/Cleveland Cavaliers (-1000)
- Denver Nuggets +14.5 pts (-110)/Cleveland Cavaliers -14.5 pts (-110)
- Over 239.5 pts (-110)/Under 239.5 pts (-110)
Our Prediction:
I don’t expect Cleveland to miss out on this blowout opportunity. Despite their struggles this season, Cleveland are 12-7 at home and have all of their key starters available.
Denver are about to play their fourth straight away game without their star man Nikola Jokic. I’m expecting the side to be fatigued and lacking drive to challenge Cleveland tonight.
Recent Form:
Injury Report:
Denver Nuggets: Tamar Bates (Out), Cameron Johnson (Out), Christian Braun (Out), Aaron Gordon (Out), Nikola Jokic (Out), Jonas Valunciunas (Out), Jamal Murray (Probable), Julian Strawther (Probable)
Cleveland Cavaliers: Max Strus (Out), Larry Nance Jr (Out), Sam Merrill (Questionable), De’Andre Hunter (Probable), Dean Wade (Questionable)