The Cleveland Cavaliers (1-6) clash against the Denver Nuggets (6-1) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 226.5 points with Denver opening as a 6-point favorite.
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
In the Nuggets’ last contest, they just got past the Chicago Bulls, 108-107, as 9.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (215) came in well under the O/U total of 230. Denver had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.0 (above their season average of 25.7). Chicago, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (13-18; 72.2 percent). With 22 points on 9-for-20 shooting, Nikola Jokic led Denver in scoring.
The Cavaliers had no trouble getting past the Atlanta Hawks in their last contest, 136-114, easily covering as 4.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (250) finished well over the O/U total of 226.5. The Cavaliers knocked down 33 of their 43 free throws (76.7 percent) and held the Hawks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below the 21.9 mark opponents have averaged against Cleveland this season). With 11 points and 13 rebounds, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson played well.
Cleveland could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their high-octane offense squares off against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Cavaliers rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Denver ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency dating back to last season.
Denver heads into the contest with records of 6-1 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Nuggets are involved, as 66.7 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total.
Although Cleveland has a difficult time winning games outright (1-6 SU), they have a solid 4-3 record ATS. Contrary to Denver, games involving the Cavaliers tend to finish over the O/U total (71.4 percent).
These two teams split two games last season. In the last contest, the Cavaliers won 113-108. Cleveland had a much better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 18.3). Denver, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 15.9).
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Cleveland is 22-6 when they allow less than 100 points, while Denver is 18-2.
The Cavaliers are 59-26 when they reach 100 points, while the Nuggets are 45-27.
Denver ranks fourth in assists per game (25.1) while Cleveland ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (25.2).
The Nuggets rank eighth in three pointers attempted per game (30.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th in three pointers allowed per game (31.2).
Denver averages 49.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (47.2).
The Nuggets rank ninth in blocks per game (5.0) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (3.8).
Denver ranks second in second chance points per game (14.3) while Cleveland ranks 20th (11.7).
The Cavaliers rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.1) while the Nuggets rank 29th (18.6).
Denver ranks 13th in steals per game (7.8) while Cleveland ranks 27th (6.9).
The Cavaliers average 11.8 fast break points per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Nuggets rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (13.0).
Denver ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while Cleveland ranks ninth (42.7).
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