Nuggets vs Cavaliers NBA Predictions, Odds, Props & Picks (12/5)

Basketball fans will be treated to a potential NBA Finals preview on Thursday when the Denver Nuggets (11-8) collide with the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. If you’re looking to get in on the Nuggets vs. Cavaliers betting action, this preview is here to help with the latest NBA odds and game predictions.

Can Denver win in enemy territory? Or will Cleveland continue to dominate on home court?

Let’s talk about the above and more as we dive into tonight’s Nuggets vs. Cavaliers picks and best bets.

2024-25 NBA Game Predictions: 16-15-0 (51.6%)

2024-25 NBA Best Bet + Prop Record: 31-31-0 (50.0%)

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NBA Betting: Nuggets vs Cavaliers Tonight (12/5)

Nuggets vs Cavaliers Betting Information

• Matchup: Denver Nuggets (11-8, 5-4 Away) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3, 12-1 Home)
• Venue & Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH)
• Date: Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Nuggets vs. Cavaliers: NBA TV

Nuggets vs Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds

All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Dec. 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Nuggets vs Cavaliers Spread

• Denver Nuggets +4 (-110)
• Cleveland Cavaliers -4 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Nuggets Over/Under

• Over 236 Points (-108)
• Under 236 Points (-112)

Nuggets vs Cavaliers Moneyline

• Denver Nuggets +150
• Cleveland Cavaliers -170

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Nuggets vs Cavaliers NBA Betting Trends

• Denver is 12-1 straight up in its last 13 games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• Cleveland is 12-1 straight up in its last 13 home games.
• Denver is 1-5 ATS in its last six games played in December.
• Cleveland is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games.
• The total hit the Over in 12 of Denver’s last 17 games.
• The total hit the Over in six of Cleveland’s last nine home games vs. Denver.

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Nuggets vs Cavaliers NBA Predictions & Picks (12/5)

As mentioned before, NBA enthusiasts wouldn’t be surprised if these two franchises end up duking it out for the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the spring. After all, the Cavaliers currently hold the third-best 2024-25 NBA Finals odds (+800) on BetOnline while the Nuggets are only slightly behind them in seventh (+1600).

The Nuggets head to Cleveland following Tuesday’s 119-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Although the win was a solid effort, it’s worth noting that Denver hasn’t won back-to-back outings since the beginning of November, having gone 4-5 SU across its last nine outings. Having said that, Nikola Jokic & Co. are 12-1 SU against their last 13 Eastern Conference opponents, leaving time to tell if that trend continues tonight.

Meanwhile, tonight marks the end of the Cavaliers’ mini three-game homestand. They already opened up the run with back-to-back wins, most recently earning a 118-87 victory over the Washington Wizards two nights ago.

The recent success at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse isn’t surprising. The Cavaliers are a dominant 12-1 SU/10-3 ATS in their own backyard this season while their plus-13.2 average scoring margin at home ranks third-best in the Association.

The Cavaliers have been dominating the competition at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this season. 

The Nuggets could be in trouble tonight if they get off to a slow start. Although Mike Malone’s team averages a respectable 57.3 first-half points (10th), the Cavaliers currently lead the NBA in that regard, averaging 62.4 points in the first two quarters.

Things could get worse for the visitors if they can’t stop the hosts on the perimeter. The Cavaliers do a fantastic job of stretching the floor, averaging 15.3 threes made (5th) on a 40.2% success rate (1st). Although the Nuggets rank third in three-point percentage (39.3%), they’re currently tied for the 11th-fewest three-pointers made per game (12.3).

When it comes to scoring down low, both teams are among the league’s best as the Nuggets score the fifth-most paint points while the Cavaliers sit sixth. On the flip side, Cleveland allows the fifth-fewest points in the paint whereas Denver surrenders the third-most.

Do the Nuggets have what it takes to limit the Cavaliers’ offense in the paint AND on the perimeter?

The Nuggets are among the NBA’s top teams this season, however, I’m backing the Cavaliers tonight. The Cavs are playing too well at home to ignore and I don’t see that trend ending tonight, especially with how inconsistent the Nuggets have been throughout the last month or so. The fact that Cleveland has the edge in most offensive and defensive categories also suggests that backing the home team is the right call.

As for the best bet, I’m willing to roll the dice on the Cavaliers covering the spread. They’re 7-2 ATS in their last nine outings and have covered the spread in all but three of their 13 home outings thus far. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games as well as 1-5 ATS in their last six December games.

With Denver only being 1-4 ATS in non-conference matchups this season, looking for Cleveland to win by a couple of possessions.

Nuggets vs. Cavaliers NBA Prediction: CLE wins

Best Nuggets vs. Cavaliers NBA Bet: CLE -4 (-110)

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Best Nuggets vs Cavaliers NBA Player Prop (12/5)

Looking through today’s Nuggets vs. Cavaliers player prop bets, I see Jarrett Allen o13.5 points (-136) as one of the better available options.

Allen has been fairly consistent when it comes to this prop, hitting the Over five times in his last nine games while averaging 15.1 points on 80.3% shooting along the way. The former 2017 first-rounder is also shooting 75.9% on 6.0 field-goal attempts per game within five feet of the basket, which paints a promising picture tonight considering how susceptible the Nuggets are to giving up paint points.

If you need to be further convinced, look at Allen’s recent history vs. the Nuggets. The ex-Texas Longhorn averaged 16.2 PPG on 63.2% in his 10 previous meetings with Denver, finishing with the Over on this prop eight times — including in each of the last three encounters.

Best Nuggets vs. Cavaliers Player Prop: Jarrett Allen o13.5 Total Points (-136)

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