CLEVELAND, Ohio – After defeating the reigning NBA champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers turn their attention to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets today – Thursday, December 5 – at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The NBA matchup can be watched on multiple streaming services.

This game will be broadcast live on NBA TV and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, with tipoff at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans who have cut ties with their cable provider can watch the game for free using streaming service DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV offers $30 off your first month. SlingTV offers half off your first month.

After a bright 15-0 start, the Cavs (19-3) still boast the best record in the NBA after defeating the Celtics on December 1st. Cleveland holds a one-game lead over Boston overall and has built a 7.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division.

The Cavs’ only losses came in the first leg against the Celtics and two stunning defensive performances against the Atlanta Hawks. They are coming off a loss to the Washington Wizards in which seven Cavs scored in double figures, marking their second straight win and Washington’s 15th straight loss.

Cleveland is averaging a league-best 121.8 points per game and leads the Association in 2-point percentage (59%) and 3-point percentage (40.2%). The Cavs lead the NBA in overall shooting percentage at 50.9% from the field.

Under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, who was recently named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October and November, the Cavs have upped the ante with the sixth-best pace in the league. They pulverize the opposition and challenge them to outdo them. A trend not often seen in Cleveland basketball.

The core is considered one of the best in the league.

Donovan Mitchell continues his quiet climb to 25-5-5. The superstar guard is averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field, including a career-high 40.2% from deep. Mitchell recently broke through against the Celtics, helping to even the season series against the defending champions.

After a dominant performance on opening night, consistency was key for fourth-year power forward Evan Mobley. He is averaging 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 54.3% from the field. He has picked up 10 or more boards in 9 of his last 11 games.

Center Jarrett Allen was a strong presence deep down. He is averaging 14.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 70.4% from the field, which is the second-highest percentage in the NBA.

Point guard Darius Garland endured two tough nights for an overall strong campaign. Garland is averaging 20.3 points, 6.7 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the field.

In a season full of headlines, backup shooting guard Ty Jerome was a refreshing piece of the puzzle off the bench. He posted 11.8 points, 3.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field, the 13th highest percentage in the league.

The Cavs and Nuggets have split their last 10 meetings.

Watch Cavs vs. Nuggets for free on DirecTV stream

The Nuggets (11-8), currently in eighth place, are dead-on in the Western Conference. Denver secured a comfortable victory over the Golden State Warriors in the Emirates NBA Cup. They have won four of their last seven games.

The Nuggets average 118.1 points per game, fifth in the NBA. They dish out 30.4 assists, which is the second highest in the league.

Jokic’s multi-faceted game is unparalleled. He is in the top 5 in points, rebounds and assists. The Serbian superstar is currently shooting at 56.4% and is averaging a triple-double with 30.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 10.4 assists. If he can keep up this pace, he would become just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double, joining teammate Russell Westbrook (four times) and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson (1961-62).

In 18 career games against the Cavs, Jokic averaged 18.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists.

Denver struggled in the first half of the game, especially when Jokic took a breather. The Nuggets are -16.6 points per 100 possessions when Jokic is not on the court. Denver needs to find a way to stay afloat if Cleveland tries to bury them early.

Similar to the Cavs, the Nuggets average six double-figure players and feature a shapeshifting roster with tons of weapons.

Point guard Jamal Murray is averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field.

Denver’s wing-heavy lineup also features the long-time presence of Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.

Porter Jr. is averaging 18.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 50.7% from the field. Gordon is posting 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 54.2% from the field. He returned to the starting lineup after a calf injury to help Denver win over the Warriors.

Braun posted 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 58% from the field.

In his first season with the Nuggets, Westbrook has taken on a different role this year. He is averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 38.5% from the field in 24.6 minutes per game.

The Nuggets are 5-4 on the road while the Cavs are 12-1 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Watch Cavs vs. Nuggets on FuboTV and get $30 off your first month

Cavs vs. Nuggets injury report

Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates (G League tackle), Max Strus (right ankle sprain), JT Thor (G League tackle) and Luke Travers (G League tackle) are all out.

Ty Jerome (illness) is questionable.

Denver Nuggets: Trey Alexander (G-League two), Vlatko Cancar (left knee sprain), DaRon Holmes II (right Achilles tendon repair) and Spencer Jones (G-League Two-Way) are all out.

Aaron Gordon (right calf strain) is likely.

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What are the latest Cavs vs. Nuggets odds?

Money line: CLE (-180), DEN: (+150)

Spread: CLE: (+4), DEN: (-4)

Over/Under: 236.5

Odds from DraftKings

Here’s more information on how to watch Cavs vs. Nuggets on TV or streaming services:

What: NBA Basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets

When: Thursday, December 5, 2024

Time: 7 p.m. Easter

Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Cleveland, Ohio

Channel: NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio

Best Streaming Options: FuboTV ($30 off first month), DirecTV Stream (free trial), and SlingTV (half off first month)

Cable duct finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios