Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 27 | 2024-25 NBA season 

The Cleveland Cavaliers open a four-game road trip with a matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Cleveland, on a five-game winning streak, looks to add the Mile High City team to its list of victims. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will lead the visitors.

Meanwhile, the struggling Nuggets hope to survive the absence of Aaron Gordon when they host the Cavaliers. Denver will get a boost if Jamal Murray, who is dealing with a right ankle sprain, is cleared to play. Nikola Jokic, the three-time and reigning MVP, leads the home team.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets Injury Report

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report

Isaac Okoro is out with a right shoulder sprain. Dean Wade is questionable due to right knee soreness. Cleveland will visit Denver without two of their best 3-and-D players if Wade is not cleared to play.

Denver Nuggets injury report

Aaron Gordon will be in street clothes on Friday due to a right calf strain. Vlatko Cancar (knee rehab) and DaRon Holmes II (tendon) are unavailable. Jamal Murray is probable because of a right ankle sprain.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets Starting lineups and depth charts

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Darius Garland	Jaylon Tyson
Donovan Mitchell	Caris LeVert	Ty Jerome
Sam Merrill	Max Strus
Evan Mobley	Tristan Thompson
Jarrett Allen

Denver Nuggets starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Jamal Murray	Russell Westbrook
Christian Braun	Julian Strawther	Jalen Pickett
Michael Porter Jr.	Peyton Watson
Hunter Tyson	Zeke Nnaji
Nikola Jokic	DeAndre Jordan	Dario Saric

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets key matchups

Nikola Jokic vs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley

Jarrett Allen will likely start on Nikola Jokic but Evan Mobley will also get his fair share of the duty of trying to slow down "The Joker". Without Gordon, Cleveland’s twin tower can concentrate more on the reigning MVP.

The job of limiting Jokic will be even more important if Jamal Murray isn’t cleared to play. Cleveland has an excellent chance to win on the road if Allen and Mobley can make Jokic less effective.

Christian Braun vs Donovan Mitchell

Christian Braun has made strides this season on defense. He will go up against Donovan Mitchell, one of the NBA’s most explosive and dynamic scorers. Cleveland is second in the NBA with 121.8 points per game and owns the league’s best offensive rating. Mitchell is perhaps the biggest reason the Cavaliers offense has been humming.

The Nuggets might have enough to defend their home court if Braun can hold his own against Spida.

Russell Westbrook vs Darius Garland

If Jamal Murray isn’t cleared to play, Russell Westbrook likely take the starting point guard job. He will promptly go head-to-head with Darius Garland.

Garland’s speed might trouble Russ, but the former MVP could also get some payback with his size and strength. The winner of the point guard battle could come from the winning team.