Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/3/2018

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets head to Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, March 3, 2018. The opening line for this game has Cleveland as 6 point favorites.

The Nuggets head into this matchup with a mark of 33-28. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.9 as they are averaging 108.4 points per contest while giving up 107.5 per game. The Cavaliers have an overall mark of 36-25. They currently are 1st in the Central Division. They are averaging 109.9 points per contest and giving up 109.8, which is a point differential of 0.1.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 28-30-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 30-31-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 19-41-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 30-29-2 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

03/01/18 G J.R. Smith Suspension Served is probable Saturday vs Denver
01/30/18 F Kevin Love Hand is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this game averaging 17.5 points per contest while playing 34.9 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.2 points per contest in 31.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 6 assists per game and 10.6 rebounds per contest for Denver. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson has scored 14.4 points per contest while playing 23.5 minutes per game this season for the Cavaliers. He hauls in 3 rebounds per contest and has 3.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Lebron James averages 26.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 37.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.4 rebounds per game and 9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 108.4 points per contest this year, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.92 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 9th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 24.7 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 7th with 15.2 per game. The Nuggets allow 107.5 points per contest which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 26th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 40.9 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 5th in the NBA with 109.9 points per contest this season. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.1. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 10th in the league. They are 22nd in the NBA in rebounding with 42.1 boards per contest and 10th in assists per game with 23.5. The Cavaliers are 17th in turnovers per contest with 14.1. The Cavaliers give up 109.8 points per game, which ranks them 26th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 26th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 25.8 dimes allowed per game and 23rd with 44.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 111.4 is ranked 8th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Denver is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 17th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 111.8, and their offensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 3rd. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Denver +6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn