Cleveland at Denver 3:30 ET
Cavaliers (+) over Nuggets- Denver (51-23) has lost two straight, including a pivotal game to Minnesota on Friday night, to fall into third in the West with eight games remaining. The Nuggets also are concerned with the health of center Nikola Jokic, who is dealing with a sore right wrist. Jokic had his right arm wrapped when he was on the bench during the 111-98 loss to the Timberwolves. The Cavaliers (45-29) are third in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game ahead of New York and 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for second. Cleveland climbed the standings with a 17-2 stretch to start the calendar year but followed that up by going 10-13. Cleveland lost four of the six games while Donovan Mitchell was out with a broken nose and starts a difficult six-game road trip. Mitchell's return to the Cleveland lineup after a six-game absence led to a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. The Cavaliers won the first meeting between the teams, 121-109 in Cleveland on Nov. 19 when Mitchell and Murray missed for separate injuries. This one will be in Denver where the Nuggets were dominant until the past two games. They are 29-8 at home while the Cavaliers have struggled on the road of late. Cleveland has lost four of its past five away from home but still has a winning road record (21-15). Mitchell’s return is the difference. Take CLEVELAND!