🏀Basketball Cavaliers vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks & Player Props: Denver seeks 10th straight home win

[James]

After opening the new year with two home wins in two games, the Cleveland Cavaliers now hit the road for the first time in 2023,
Tonight, the Cavs (25-14, 7-10 away, 4th in the Eastern Conference) will open a five-game road swing tonight with a matchup with the Denver Nuggets (25-13, 15-3 home, 1st in the Western Conference) at Ball Arena.
After riding Donovan Mitchell’s 71-point game to a come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, Cleveland eked out a 90-88 win over the Phoenix Suns.
The Cavaliers enter tonight two games behind the East-leading Brooklyn Nets in the division, but they are only a half-game worse than the Nuggets, who are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for top spot in the West, a game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Who will take the win tonight in the Mile High City? Read on for our Cavaliers vs Nuggets prediction, as well as our picks and analysis for tonight’s Cleveland vs Denver NBA matchup.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets Odds​

Odds are via FanDuel as of Friday, January 6, 2023, at 6:00 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread​

• Cleveland Cavaliers +6 (-114)
• Denver Nuggets -6 (-106)

Over/Under​

• Over 221 (-112)
• Under 221 (-108)

Moneyline​

• Cleveland Cavaliers +190
• Denver Nuggets -230

Will Jokic Bag Another Triple-Double to Lead Denver Over Cleveland?​

It has been exactly a month since the Nuggets’ last loss, a 116-115 setback to the Dallas Mavericks on December 6.
The streak that began after that loss was extended to nine last night with a 122-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, a win in which Denver led 66-32 at halftime and 102-59 after three quarters.
With the win locked up early, none of Denver’s key players had to play major minutes, which is handy with the Cavaliers on the schedule tonight.
That includes Nikola Jokic, who had 12 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in 24 minutes last night but will almost certainly have much, much bigger numbers tonight.
For the season, Jokic is averaging a triple-double at home–25.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 10.6 APG–and he has averages of 27.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 9.2 APG in nine games against Eastern Conference opposition.
At home, Jokic has been a beast against the East.

Nikola Jokic at Home vs the Eastern Conference (2022-23 Season)​

• 11/22 vs Detroit Pistons: 31 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists
• 12/14 vs Washington Wizards: 43 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, five steals
• 12/30 vs Miami Heat: 19 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists
• 1/1 vs Boston Celtics: 30 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists

Along with being tied with Memphis for the best home record in the NBA, the Nuggets are 11-7 ATS at home this season, compared to just 8-12 ATS on the road.
Against teams that are currently .500 or better, Denver is 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS at home and 12-7 SU and 10-9 ATS overall.
By comparison, Cleveland is 11-9 SU and 8-12 ATS against teams who currently sit at .500 or better, though they are just 2-7 SU and ATS in road games against such teams.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Picks​

Cavaliers vs Nuggets Prediction: Nuggets to win
Cavaliers vs Nuggets Picks: Nuggets -5.5 (Best Value: Caesars Sportsbook & BetMGM) & Nuggets team total over 113.5 (Best Value: Caesars Sportsbook & BetMGM)
Denver has scored 114 or more points in 14 of their 18 home games, including eight of nine during their current win streak. So, if they win, as I expect them to, that bodes well for the over on the team total.