Two of the best and most all-around teams in the league duke it out in what should be an entertaining battle.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Denver Nuggets (11-8, 5-4 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Jamal Murray (out) / Russell Westbrook
  • Christian Braun
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon (out) / Peyton Watson
  • Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets have gone up-and-down after a five-game winning streak in early November. They are now just 4-5 in their nine games, averaging 114.9 points per game and allowing 114.4 points on the other end.

The 1-2 punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be leading the way. Jokic has been a monster as per usual, averaging 30.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game on 56.4% shooting, including an insane 52.2% from deep, and has already posted eight triple-doubles in 16 games. Murray hasn’t been his usual self, and is only shooting 41.9% at 17.7 PPG, but he’s still a threat and could make baskets in key situations.

Though Michael Porter Jr. is officially the third scorer, he’s ahead of Murray in scoring at 18.7 PPG. With Aaron Gordon having been out for a significant amount of time, Christian Braun has stepped up, chipping in 15.6 PPG on 58% shooting this season. Veteran Russell Westbrook is there providing damage too.

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HOME: Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3, 12-1 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Isaac Okoro
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The league-leading Cavaliers just continue strutting their stuff. They will come in having won back-to-back games, one of which was a come-from-behind, 115-111 war over the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Donovan Mitchell (24.3 PPG) having to score less without sacrificing a lot to allow others to shine and contribute more has opened up a ton of other looks for the Cavs. Make no mistake about it, though, when he gets really hot, the team will let him be.

Behind Mitchell’s high-scoring ways is a variety of weapons that are a good match for the Nuggets. Facilitator Darius Garland, twin towers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, key back-up PG Ty Jerome, and swingmen Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert can collectively attack on various angles on both ends.

The Cavs are the number one scoring team in the NBA at 121.8 PPG, and they’re only surrendering 111.3 on defense.

PICKS:

Spread: Nuggets (+4)

Over/Under: Over (237.5)

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