Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction NBA Picks 12/5/24

Denver Nuggets 

The Denver Nuggets have been in decent form as they’ve won four of their past seven games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after sneaking past the Warriors in a thrilling 119-115 home win on Tuesday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals, Michael Porter Jr added 22 points while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 50 percent from the field and 11 of 24 from the 3-point line as they traded with the shorthanded Warriors in a tight contest, until the third quarter where they poured in 33 points to start to pull away. No bench player for the Nuggets scored more than seven points, but the Nuggets turned to Jokic who delivered all night to carry the team over the line. 

Cleveland Cavaliers 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a tear as they’ve won 19 of their first 22 games and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after smashing the lowly Wizards by 118-87 in a home win on Tuesday. Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with 19 points and seven assists, Evan Mobley tallied 19 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks while Georges Niang and Sam Merrill each scored 14 points. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the 3-point line as they dominated from the start and never looked in danger after outscoring the Wizards by 35-20 in the first quarter. In fact, the Cavaliers never trailed in this one and had this game wrapped up so early that they rested most of their starters early. 

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 13 games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
• The Nuggets have lost four of their last five road games following a win.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last seven night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.

Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Nuggets are just about at full strength for this game with no one listed on the injury report, while the Cavaliers are keeping an eye on Ty Jerome who is questionable with an illness. The Nuggets haven’t been at their absolute best, but they are finally healthy and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their gritty win over the Warriors in their last game. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have continued their hot start to the season with another dominant win over the Wizards on Tuesday and it is no surprise that they have opened as favorites at home. You can make an argument for either side here, but with the line so short, I have to lean towards the more consistent Cavaliers to stay hot at home.