Nuggets vs Cavaliers Odds & Predictions (Feb. 23)
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Cleveland is laying 2.5 points in the Nuggets vs Cavaliers odds on Thursday
- The Nuggets and Cavaliers rank third and second respectively in Net Rating
- Check out the latest Nuggets vs Cavaliers odds, plus injury news and predictions below
The best in the West takes on one of the East’s top contenders as the NBA season resumes on Thursday night. The Cavaliers (38-23, 25-6 home) will entertain the West leading Nuggets (41-18, 14-14 away), in what is projected to be an extremely tight affair per the NBA odds.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | +2.5 (-110) | +110 | O 222 (-110) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -2.5 (-110) | -130 | U 222 (-110) |
Cleveland opened up as 1.5-point favorites, but that number has since been bet up to -2.5. Even at the larger spread the Cavs are still dominating the betting action, drawing 62% of the ATS money. The total currently sits at 222, up a half a point from the opener, but bettors clearly don’t think that number is high enough. 86% of the over/under bets are on over 222 as of Wednesday evening, as is 89% of all money wagered on the total.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm ET at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH, a building where the Cavs are 25-6 at this season.
Odds as of February 22 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers Betting Analysis
The Nuggets took the first meeting between these two squads 121-108 in Denver. Nikola Jokic was his usual, unstoppable self, racking up a 28 point triple-double. The current favorite, and reigning two-time champ in the NBA MVP odds, added 15 rebounds and 10 assists in that outing, and is on pace to become the third player in league history to average a triple-double this season.
The Nuggets have won 25 straight games when Nikola Jokic has a triple-double. That is the most consecutive team wins when player has a triple-double in NBA history, passing Magic Johnson and the Lakers from 1984-87. pic.twitter.com/Er5Oi9ygSB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 16, 2023
Jamal Murray was also instrumental in the win, splashing 18 points. He sat out the final six games prior to the All-Star break, but is expected to suit up on Thursday. Murray is averaging 35 points, seven assists and five boards over his past three outings, and has eclipsed 24 points in five of his last six starts.
Elsewhere on the injury front, it looks like the Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon. Denver’s third leading scorer is dealing with rib issues and is doubtful to play.
The Nuggets enter play with the league’s third best Net Rating, and a 96% probability of finishing first in the West according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index.
Cleveland, the second highest graded team per Net Rating, is looking to pick up exactly where they left off. The Cavs won seven of eight before the All-Star break, and are 6-1 in their last seven home games. They’ve outscored their opponents by an average of 13 points per home tilt during that stretch, and boast the most wins in their own building of any team in the East.
“It’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows with us. We’re still a team that’s young, but we also are figuring each other out.”
– Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/nAGrAYQOp7
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) February 22, 2023
After a slow ending to January and the start of February, Donovan Mitchell has caught fire. He averaged 33 points per game over his final four outings prior to the break, and poured in 40 points for Team Giannis in the All-Star Game.
He and backcourt mate Darius Garland are one of the league’s premier guard duos, and we’ll be asked to carry the brunt of the offensive load against the Nuggets.
Injury wise, Ricky Rubio is the lone player carrying a designation for Cleveland, as he’ll sit due to left knee issues. The team bought out Kevin Love over the break, and the veteran forward promptly joined the rival Heat.
Nuggets vs Cavaliers Predictions
The Nuggets feature the league’s number one offensive rating, while the Cavs are the NBA’s top defensive team. Talk about must see TV. Their first matchup produced well over 222 points, and we should expect this one to do so as well, in spite of Cleveland’s defensive prowess.
For starters, there is no stopping Jokic. He can hurt you in so many ways, and he’s just as dangerous as a facilitator as he is a scorer. The entire Denver offense runs through him, and he’s either going to destroy his defender one on one, or make the perfect pass to an open shooter if the Cavs double him.
NBA Net Rating Ranks
| Team | Rank |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 1 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2 |
| Denver Nuggets | 3 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 4 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 5 |
Cleveland’s offense is capable of punching back, especially at home. The Cavs average 116 points per 100 possessions in Cleveland, compared to 113.9 points as visitors.
The over is 7-3 in the Nuggets last 10 games, with all but two of those contests exceeding 222 points. Bettors were quick to pound the over in this contest, and we shouldn’t expect the action to slow down prior to tip. This number is likely going to close north of 222, so if you want to play the over do so now.
Pick: Over 222 (-110)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
