The NBA has a loaded schedule on March 31st, 2024. Furthermore, there are a couple of college basketball games in the late rounds of the NCAA tournament. In the early game in the NBA on Easter Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets will meet one another (3:40 PM ET). Both teams are the No. 3 seeds in their respective conferences. The Nuggets, who will host the game, are favored in it at -5.5 (bet365). My Cavaliers vs Nuggets prediction focuses on Nikola Jokic, a player prop, and how it could work for a long-odds bet in a same-game parlay.
NBA Matchup: Cavaliers vs Nuggets
Away: Cleveland Cavaliers
Home: Denver Nuggets
Game time: Sunday, March 31st, 2024 @ 3:40 PM ET
Cavaliers vs Nuggets odds (home team's spread): -5.5 (bet365)
Cleveland vs Denver Prediction: Recent NBA News
The Cleveland Cavaliers played on Friday, a game that they won over the Philadelphia 76ers 117-114. The win was more of the exception as opposed to the norm for Cleveland lately. They have gone just 4-6 in their last ten games. Furthermore, as per the points below, the Cavaliers have been below .500 for more than a month and a half now.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 35 - 16 heading into February 12th, 2024
Currently: 45 - 29 (overall)
Recent form: 10 - 13 since February 12th, 2024
Recent winning rate: .435
Cleveland Cavaliers injuries: recent news
Heading into Sunday, Cleveland's roster concerns are with their second string. Caris LeVert is probable for the game and Isaac Okoro is questionable. Dean Wade will remain out, however, he has not appeared in a game since March 8th.
Double-check for playing status updates with Cleveland (02:04 ET time of writing): Team's Depth Chart
Denver Nuggets injuries: recent news
The Denver Nuggets also played on Friday, a game that they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-98. This was the second straight loss for the team and both of the wins have been at home for Denver. Previously, they lost on Wednesday to the Phoenix Suns 104-97. In the broader context, Denver has gone 15-4 in their last 19 games, which corresponds to the period after the All-Star break.
As of very early on Sunday, Denver's Jamal Murray was questionable for the Nuggets. He has not appeared in a game since March 21st. Nikola Jokic is probable for the game but his ESPN profile lists two injuries, one to his wrist and another to his hip. You might wonder if he will be a little off on Sunday, even if he plays.
Double-check status updates Denver (02:04 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
Cavaliers vs Nuggets Prediction: Betting Tips
I think bettors should target this game for the "No" side of a double-double for Nikola Jokic. Him not having a double-double is out at +400 (bet365). Mainly, I want to tip against him because of the two injuries that he has.
Bettors will have to assume that he is playing because his status is "probable." But with two injuries listed, there's a bit more of a motive for Denver to lower his minutes.
Furthermore, Cleveland has been so subpar lately, that Denver might post a big spread in this game, which might buy some bench minutes for their MVP candidate at a time in his season when he looks like he could use a day off. I like this bet more if Murray plays as he is a viable scoring option for the Nuggets.
A same-game parlay is for Denver to cover an adjusted spread of -13.5 and for Jokic NOT to have a double-double. That works out to +2500 (bet365). The thinking is that Cleveland has been bad lately, Denver might blow them out, and if they do then Jokic might see some rest in the second half. That, in turn, could keep his rebounding and assists at 9 or fewer, thereby preventing a double-double.
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