The big picture

Cleveland Cavaliers come in 17th on the ladder; Denver Nuggets are 15th. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

Cleveland Cavaliers are 5–4 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 119.2 points for and 114.7 against.

Denver Nuggets are 4–3 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 115.4 points for and 114.7 against.

Form

Cleveland Cavaliers have won two of their last five and most recently beat Philadelphia 76ers 119–95.

Denver Nuggets have won three of their last five and most recently beat Toronto Raptors 128–109.

Head to head

These sides have met 49 times on our records since 2001: Cleveland Cavaliers 23, Denver Nuggets 26.

Last time out (2025-26), Cleveland Cavaliers won 119–117 at Ball Arena.

Cleveland Cavaliers have won the last four against Denver Nuggets.

Biggest margin between these two: Denver Nuggets by 38 points in 2020-21 (133–95).

Players to watch

For Cleveland Cavaliers, watch Donovan Mitchell (22.6 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27) and Evan Mobley (19.1 points a game, 72 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Denver Nuggets, watch Jamal Murray (25.4 points a game, 38 rebounds in 2026-27) and Nikola Jokic (23.4 points a game, 68 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Rocket Arena

Cleveland Cavaliers have won 15 of their last 20 at Rocket Arena.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Denver Nuggets have the edge.