The Denver Nuggets (11-8) hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3) in a cross-conference NBA matchup on Thursday. The Nuggets are coming off a dramatic come from behind win over the Warriors in their final NBA Cup game. Nikola Jokic had 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals in the 119-115 win. The Cavs own the best record in the NBA, are riding a two-game winning streak, and blew out the Wizards 118-87 in their last game. The Nuggets are 7-11-1 against the spread, while the Cavs are 16-6 versus the line. The teams split their two games last season, with the home team winning each.
Tipoff from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is at 7 p.m. ET. Cleveland is a 4.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Nuggets odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 234.5. Cleveland is at -181 (risk $181 to win $100) on the money line, with Denver listed at +150. Before locking in any Nuggets vs. Cavaliers picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 7 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 116-80 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Cavaliers vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Nuggets vs. Cavaliers:
- Nuggets vs. Cavaliers spread: Cleveland -4.5
- Nuggets vs. Cavaliers over/under: 234.5 points
- Nuggets vs. Cavaliers money line: Cleveland -181, Denver +150
- Nuggets vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Nuggets vs. Cavaliers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Nuggets can cover
The Nuggets have the best player in the world in three-time NBA MVP Jokic. The 29-year-old Serbian is once again producing at a historic pace, and is emerging as the front-runner to win the 2024-24 MVP award as well, which would be his fourth time winning the prestigious award in the last five seasons. Jokic enters Thursday's matchup averaging 30.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game.
The Nuggets have found another rising young star in third-year guard Christian Braun. The former Kansas standout is a high energy player, who has improved immensely as a shooter. For the season, Braun is shooting 58% from the field and 46% from 3-point territory. He is averaging 15.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Cavaliers can cover
The Cavs own the best record in the NBA and have been nearly unbeatable at home, going 12-1 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland has also performed well against the spread, going 16-6 thus far. The Cavs have covered in two straight and seven of the last nine games they've played.
Cleveland is paced by the dynamic backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Mitchell has been one of the top pure scorers in the league for several years running and enters Thursday averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Garland is in his sixth NBA season, and is establishing himself as one of the top point guards in the Eastern Conference. The former Vanderbilt standout averages 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Cavaliers vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting 228 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks.
So who wins Cavs vs. Nuggets on Thursday, and which side of the spread hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Cavaliers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
