The Nuggets will play the Cavaliers on Friday, January 2nd, 2026. Your timezone's tip off time is 7:40 pm EST. Check local listings or your nearest streaming app for coverage.
Learn more about NBA Betting with our handy tutorial and guide. We explain spread, total and money line bets. Plus, a great discussion about exotic bets like NBA parlays and props.
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
 #1 BetMGMREVIEW | New Customers - Up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days One new customer offer/Add'l Terms Bet Now 21+ Playable in Ohio only Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-589-9966 |
Table of Contents
- Matchup Stats
- Captain Shady Lines
- Best Odds
- Interactive Odds Example
- Prop Bets
- Team Standings
- Futures Odds
- Team Pages
- Other Games Today
Key Matchup Stats
Now that the 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing, let's gear up for a game between the Denver Nuggets and the Cleveland Cavaliers set for Friday, January 2nd, 2026. Make sure to review each team's performance stats below as you handicap this matchup. We've included a few key metrics we think will be most helpful. At this point in the season, statistical trends should begin to firm up.
- SportsBetting3.com Power Rankings - The Denver Nuggets currently have a 97.00 power ranking. The power ranking for the Cleveland Cavaliers is 93.00. Continue monitoring these figures as the season progresses.
- Away Denver Nuggets - The Denver Nuggets currently have a 13-5 record as an away team. That standing puts them 1st in the league for away team wins.
- Home Cleveland Cavaliers - The Cleveland Cavaliers start this matchup with a 12-8 record as a home team. They now rank 3rd in the league for home team wins so far in the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
- Average Points Per Game - The Denver Nuggets currently rank 1st (125.1) for average points scored per game. On the other side of the court, the Cleveland Cavaliers stand at 8th averaging 119.6 PPG.
- Average Opponent Points Per Game - Opponents have scored an average of 118.0 points against the Denver Nuggets, ranking them 9th in the league. The Cleveland Cavaliers currently rank 13th in the league for points scored against them, with a current standing of 117.1 OPPG.
- Team Division Records - The Denver Nuggets have notched a 4-1 Western Northwest Division division record, while the Cleveland Cavaliers possess a 6-2 Eastern Central Division standing.
- Overall Team Records - The Denver Nuggets have a 23-10 overall record, while the Cleveland Cavaliers have a 19-16 standing.
Captain Shady Lines
A broken compass is right at least twice a day.
Avast ye, landlubbers! The Denver Nuggets be setting sail for Cleveland...
The rabid fans of the Cavaliers be ready to plunder and pillage...
The Nuggets have a strong record, but the Cavaliers be no pushovers...
Will the Nuggets continue their dominance, or will the Cavaliers make stand?...
See you courtside at today's game, and may the best team win...
Be sure to review the best point spread, moneyline, and total bets...
Look at this game's prop bets below, and may the odds be in your favor...
Best Nuggets at Cavaliers Odds
| Underdog Denver Nuggets | Favorite Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|
| Over | Under |
|---|---|
| Underdog Denver Nuggets | Favorite Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|
Matchup Odds FAQs
The Cleveland Cavaliers are -13.5 -115 point spread favorites at BetMGM, while the Denver Nuggets are +13.5 -105 point spread underdogs at BetMGM.
The best over line is 239.5 -115 points at BetMGM, which means you risk $115 to win $100 betting the over. The best under line is 239.5 -105 points at BetMGM, and that means you risk $105 to win $100 betting the under.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the -800 moneyline favorite at BetMGM and the Denver Nuggets are the +550 moneyline underdog at BetMGM.
NBA Odds Example
|
Game |
 BetMGMBet |
|---|---|
Nuggets
Cavaliers
1/02/26 7:40pm EST | +13.5 -105-13.5 -115 |
Underdog Denver Nuggets - Denver Nuggets bettors risk $100 to win $95.24 at -105 odds.
A +13.5 Denver Nuggets underdog bet wins if they lose by 13 or fewer, tie, or win outright. Your bet loses if they lose by 14 or more.
Favorite Cleveland Cavaliers - Cleveland Cavaliers bettors risk $100 to win $86.96 at -115 odds.
A -13.5 Cleveland Cavaliers favorite bet wins if they win by 14 or more. Your bet loses if they win by 13 or fewer, tie, or lose outright.
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers Prop Bets
| BetMGM Bet |
|
|---|---|
Nuggets
Cavaliers
Game to Overtime
1/02/26 7:40pm EST | Yes +2000No -10000Bet |
Cavaliers
Team Total Points
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 127.5 o -110127.5 u -115Bet |
Nuggets
Team Total Points
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 112.5 o -110112.5 u -115Bet |
Bruce Brown Jr
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 9.5 o +1159.5 u -155Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Darius Garland
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 17.5 o -12517.5 u -105Bet |
DaRon Holmes II
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 12.5 o -11512.5 u -115Bet |
De'Andre Hunter
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 12.5 o -11512.5 u -115Bet |
Dean Wade
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 5.5 o -1355.5 u +100Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Donovan Mitchell
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 28.5 o -11028.5 u -118Bet |
Evan Mobley
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 15.5 o -13515.5 u +100Bet |
Jalen Pickett
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 9.5 o +1009.5 u -135Bet |
Jamal Murray
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 26.5 o -12026.5 u -110Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Jarrett Allen
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 13.5 o -13013.5 u -105Bet |
Sam Merrill
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 11.5 o -11011.5 u -120Bet |
Tim Hardaway Jr
Points Scored
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 14.5 o -13014.5 u +100Bet |
Darius Garland
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 28.5 o -11528.5 u -118Bet |
| BetMGM | |
DaRon Holmes II
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 20.5 o -11020.5 u -120Bet |
Dean Wade
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 12.5 o -11512.5 u -115Bet |
Donovan Mitchell
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 38.5 o -12038.5 u -110Bet |
Evan Mobley
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 28.5 o -13028.5 u -105Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Jamal Murray
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 39.5 o -12039.5 u -110Bet |
Jarrett Allen
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 25.5 o -11025.5 u -120Bet |
Sam Merrill
Points, Rebounds & Assists
DEN at CLE 1/02/26 7:40pm EST | 17.5 o -11017.5 u -118Bet |
Team Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Away | Div | Conf | PPG | Op. PPG | Diff | Strk | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | 35 | 20 | 0.636 | +6.5 | 15-11 | 20-9 | 4-2 | 20-9 | 120.4 | 116.3 | +4.1 | W1 | 5-5 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 34 | 21 | 0.618 | +7.5 | 18-11 | 16-10 | 7-3 | 20-13 | 120.0 | 115.9 | +4.1 | W5 | 9-1 |
Denver Nuggets & Cleveland Cavaliers Futures Odds
Latest NBA Championship odds, if available, for each team. Review odds for other teams and learn how to bet on the NBA Championship. See past Championship results and learn how to bet NBA Finals teasers, props and parlays.
Denver Nuggets Championship Odds|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Nuggets | +550 Bet |
|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Cavaliers | +1300 Bet |
Denver Nuggets & Cleveland Cavaliers Team Pages
Review each team's season win total odds, futures odds, betting bonuses and other valuable information on our exclusive team betting odds pages. Team betting odds and stats update throughout the season:
How to Bet on the Game
Time needed: 4 minutes.
How to Bet on the Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Game
-
Open a new sports betting account before game time.
Review our list of sports betting sites. Open a new account before the game starts on Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 7:40 pm EST, making sure to enter all your personal details correctly. Don't forget to add your bonus code.
-
Visit the sportsbook’s cashier, banking, or deposit page.
Navigate to the sportsbook's deposit page. Use your Visa card or MasterCard, or deposit with a bank transfer, or other methods like Paypal.
-
Tap to the sportsbook's NBA page, look for the Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game.
Navigate to the sportsbook's NBA page. Next, look for live or upcoming matchups. Select the Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game.
-
Choose your bet and place a wager.
Choose your bet and then use the funds you deposited to place a wager. The sportsbook will pay your winnings or deduct a losing wager from your account balance after the game.
Other January 2, 2026 NBA Games
- San Antonio Spurs vs Indiana Pacers
- Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards
- Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks
- Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans
- Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks
- Orlando Magic vs Chicago Bulls
- Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors
- Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers