half time report
Only two more quarters stand between the Cavaliers and the victory they were favorites to achieve tonight. With a score of 66-62, they looked like the better team, but there are still two more quarters to play.
The Cavaliers came into the contest with extra motivation after the loss they suffered the last time these two teams met. We’ll see if they are able to turn the script around or if it will simply be more of the same.
Who is playing
Denver Nuggets @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Current records: Denver 11-8, Cleveland 19-3
How to watch
- When: Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7 pm ET
- Where: Rocket Mortgage Cottage – Cleveland, Ohio
- TV: NBA TV
- Continue: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try it for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $18.77
What to know
The Nuggets and Cavaliers are 5-5 against each other since January 2020, but not for long. The Denver Nuggets will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Nuggets are expected to lose this game by four points, so we’ll see if that gives them some motivation.
The Nuggets suffered a loss when they played on the road on Sunday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They recorded a 119-115 victory over the Warriors. The victory came thanks to a strong surge that began at the 4:33 mark of the second quarter, when Denver faced a 54-42 deficit.
It was another great night for Nikola Jokic, who had a double-double with 38 points and ten rebounds. The game was the third in a row with at least 30 points.
Although they won, the Nuggets struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only four offensive rebounds. That’s the fewest offensive rebounds they’ve recorded since May.
Meanwhile, you can’t lose the contest if you win every quarter, and that was precisely the Cavaliers’ strategy against the Wizards on Tuesday. The Cavaliers hurt the Wizards with a clear 118-87 victory. That looming 118-87 mark stands out as the most imposing margin for Cleveland so far this season.
Denver’s victory raised its record to 11-8. As for Cleveland, the win made it two in a row and raises their season record to 19-3.
Thursday’s matchup is shaping up to be a shooting masterclass: the Nuggets have been dynamite from deep this season, making 39.3% of their three-pointers per game. It’s not like the Cavaliers are struggling in that department, though, as they’ve hit 40.2% of their three-pointers this season. Given these competing strengths, it will be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
Everything went well for the Nuggets against the Cavaliers in their previous matchup in March, when the Nuggets cruised to a 130-101 victory. The rematch could be a little more difficult for the Nuggets since this time the team will not have the home field advantage. We’ll see if the change of venue makes a difference.
Odd
Cleveland is a 4-point favorite against Denver, according to the latest report NBA Odds.
The bettors were in line with the betting community on this one, as the game started with a 4-point lead and stayed there.
The over/under is 237.5 points.
See NBA selections for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Cleveland and Denver have five wins in their last 10 games.
- March 31, 2024: Denver 130 vs. cleveland 101
- November 19, 2023: Cleveland 121 vs. Denver 109
- February 23, 2023: Denver 115 vs. Cleveland 109
- January 6, 2023: Denver 121 vs. Cleveland 108
- March 18, 2022: Cleveland 119 vs. Denver 116
- October 25, 2021: Cleveland 99 vs. Denver 87
- February 19, 2021: Denver 120 vs. Cleveland 103
- February 10, 2021: Denver 133 vs. Cleveland 95
- March 7, 2020 – Cleveland 104 vs. Denver 102
- January 11, 2020: Cleveland 111 vs. Denver 103
