The Denver Nuggets (23-10) travel to Cleveland to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-16) in an interconference clash that could be lopsided due to Denver’s extensive injury list.
The Nuggets, fresh off a gritty 106-103 road win over the Toronto Raptors on December 31, are dealing with a depleted roster, while the Cavaliers enter on a high after a dominant 129-113 victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Venue Location
The matchup takes place at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. This 19,432-capacity venue, home to the Cavaliers since 1994, offers a vibrant atmosphere with modern amenities, though it has seen fluctuating attendance amid the team’s up-and-down season.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT). The game will air on FDSOH, ALT, and Amazon Prime Video, with streaming available via NBA League Pass and local radio broadcasts.
Injury Report
Denver is ravaged by injuries, potentially missing four starters, which could severely impact their performance. Cleveland’s list is lighter, allowing for more lineup stability.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić is out (left knee hyperextension/injury management). Jonas Valančiūnas is out (right calf strain). Christian Braun is out (left ankle sprain). Aaron Gordon is out (hamstring). Tamar Bates is out (left foot surgery). Jamal Murray is probable (right ankle sprain), and Julian Strawther is probable (illness).
Cleveland Cavaliers: De’Andre Hunter is out (illness). Sam Merrill is a game-time decision (ankle).
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These absences force Denver to rely on bench players like Dario Šarić in the frontcourt and Peyton Watson for defense, while Cleveland can maintain their core rotation.
Player Matchups
With Jokić sidelined, the Nuggets’ matchups tilt heavily in Cleveland’s favor. Expect the Cavaliers’ size and athleticism to dominate.
Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. Donovan Mitchell (CLE): Murray’s scoring (20+ PPG) faces Mitchell’s explosive offense (25+ PPG) and quickness. If Murray’s ankle limits him, Mitchell could exploit mismatches for easy buckets.
Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) vs. Evan Mobley (CLE): Porter’s three-point shooting (38%) meets Mobley’s elite defense (top-5 in blocks). This forward battle could decide perimeter spacing, with Mobley potentially forcing Porter into tough shots.
Russell Westbrook (DEN) vs. Darius Garland (CLE): Westbrook’s veteran energy clashes with Garland’s playmaking (8+ APG recently). Garland’s speed might pull Westbrook out of position, opening lanes.
Dario Šarić (DEN) vs. Jarrett Allen (CLE): Filling in for Jokić, Šarić’s post play goes against Allen’s rim protection (double-double threat). Allen could control the paint, limiting Denver’s second-chance points.
Cleveland holds edges in most spots, especially rebounding, where they rank top-10 league-wide.
Recent Team Forms
The Nuggets have navigated injuries well, going 7-3 in their last 10 with wins like the 106-103 thriller over Toronto, averaging 115 PPG but allowing 112. Their defense has stepped up in transition, forcing 14+ turnovers per game recently.
The Cavaliers are 5-5 in their last 10, including a 129-113 blowout of Phoenix and a 120-105 win over Utah earlier in December. They’ve improved defensively over the last nine games, holding opponents under 110 PPG in wins, but struggle with three-point defense.
| Team | Last 10 Games | Win Streak | PPG Scored | PPG Allowed | Key Trend |
| Nuggets | 7-3 | W2 | 115.4 | 112.0 | 4-1 in last 5 road games statmuse.com |
| Cavaliers | 5-5 | W2 | 116.8 | 114.2 | 3-2 in last 5 home games landofbasketball.com |
Series History
Denver leads the all-time series 54-46 in 100 regular-season games.
The last five meetings are split 3-2 for Denver, with high-scoring affairs: Nuggets won 130-101 on March 31, 2024, while Cavaliers took 121-109 on November 19, 2023.
In Cleveland, the Nuggets are 4-6 in their last 10 visits, often keeping games close as underdogs. The teams meet again on February 9 in Denver.
Betting Trends
Denver is 17-16 ATS overall and 10-6 ATS on the road. They’ve covered in 4 of their last 5 but are 2-3 ATS as underdogs of 10+ points. The under has hit in 6 of 10 games.
Cavaliers Trends: Cleveland is 15-20 ATS and 9-7 ATS at home. They’ve covered 3 of their last 5 and are 8-4 straight up as favorites. The over has hit in 7 of 10 recent games.
Series Trends: In the last 10 matchups, the over has cashed 6 times, averaging 228 points. The home team is 7-3 ATS.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets 240.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 1, 2026
