Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Player Prop Picks 12/5/24

The matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets promises to be an exciting one. The Cavaliers are off to a strong start this season, with a remarkable 19-3 record. Donovan Mitchell, leads the team with an average of 24.3 points per game, supported by Darius Garland’s 20.6 points and Jarrett Allen’s strong presence in the paint with 10.9 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers also excel defensively, with Evan Mobley providing significant rim protection.

On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets are led by the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokić. Jokić has been dominating this season, averaging nearly a triple-double with 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game. The Nuggets’ offense relies heavily on Jokić’s playmaking and scoring, while Michael Porter Jr. contributes as a key perimeter shooter.

Michael Porter Jr Over 16.5 Points

Michael Porter Jr. has been a consistent offensive presence for the Denver Nuggets this season, averaging 18.6 points per game across 35.7 minutes. His efficiency is impressive, with a field goal percentage of 50.4% and a three-point shooting rate of 40.9% on 6.4 attempts per game. These numbers contribute to a strong true shooting percentage of 62.2%. Porter has delivered standout performances, such as scoring 24 points in games against the Lakers and Grizzlies. Beyond scoring, he contributes 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, highlighting his all-around impact on the court​.

With the Nuggets losing Caldwell-Pope in the offseason they’ve needed Michael Porter Jr to step up in a big way with perimeter scoring. We’ve seen Michael Porter Jr score over 16 points in 7 out of his last 10 games and is coming off a nice game against the Warriors where he scored 22 points. This is a tough game for the Nuggets and if they want to stick in this one against the Cavs they will need someone else to score besides Jokic.

Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 Points

Donovan Mitchell is having another strong season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s averaging 24.6 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest. His shooting splits include a field goal percentage of 45.7%, a three-point shooting rate of 39.8% on 9.3 attempts per game, and an 80.5% free throw percentage. This contributes to an efficient true shooting percentage of 58.4%.

We see Mitchell show out when he plays some of the better teams in the NBA. For example, this Cavs team played the Boston Celtics twice in the last couple weeks and he had 35 points in both games. I also expect this to be a competitive game where the Cavs will need Mitchell’s scoring presence to maintain a lead. After a slow game against the Washington Wizards, this is a perfect spot to buy back in on Mitchell and take the over on his point total.

Darius Garland Over 6.5 Assists

Darius Garland has been performing effectively as a playmaker during this NBA season, averaging 6.7 assists per game. This ranks him among the league’s more proficient facilitators, reflecting his role as a primary creator for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His season high in assists so far is 12, showcasing his ability to orchestrate the offense and set up teammates effectively. Garland’s playmaking has been a critical factor in Cleveland’s strong start to the season, where the team holds one of the best records in the league.

We’ve seen Garland sore over this number of 6.5 assists many times throughout this season. This is one of his most favorable matchups yet facing the Denver Nuggets which is a team that gives up a ton of assists. The Nuggets are giving up 29.9 assists per game to opposing teams which is the highest in the NBA this season. I love this spot for Garland to have a great night facilitating the ball.