Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/02/26

The Nuggets enter this matchup severely shorthanded, with injuries piling up at the worst possible time. Nikola Jokic’s absence is the most significant blow, removing the clear-cut best player in the league and the centerpiece of Denver’s offensive identity. Jokic was operating at an MVP level before going down, and without his elite playmaking, scoring efficiency and floor control, the Nuggets become a drastically different team. Compounding the issue, Denver has also been dealing with missing rotation pieces like Cam Johnson, further thinning an already stressed lineup. Historically, the impact is clear: last season, the Nuggets averaged just 109 points per game in contests without Jokic — a massive drop from their normal offensive output, as possessions slow and shot quality declines.

Cleveland enters with talent but inconsistency, particularly on the offensive end. While the Cavaliers have the ability to score in bunches behind their guards, they have struggled to maintain efficiency game to game and often play at a more controlled pace, especially against teams that lack offensive firepower. This matchup does not necessarily profile as a shootout, with Denver likely leaning on defense and longer possessions to stay competitive, while Cleveland doesn’t profile as a team eager to push tempo unnecessarily. With the Nuggets missing their offensive engine and multiple contributors and the Cavaliers prone to uneven scoring stretches, the number feels inflated.

Nuggets vs Cavaliers prediction: Under 237.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 235.5.

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