The biggest inter-conference clash of the night takes place in Denver, where the Nuggets host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The pregame narrative: Monday’s game is a pick’em, and I think Denver is worth backing on an alt spread. Also, assuming he plays, look for Jamal Murray to get buckets.
Check out my Cavaliers vs. Nuggets SGP predictions for Feb. 9, featuring Murray and James Harden.
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Cavaliers vs. Nuggets SGP
Parlay: Nuggets +4.5 | Murray 25+ points | Harden 20+ points (+310)
Nuggets +4.5 (-190): Coming off back-to-back triple-doubles, Nikola Jokic looks like he’s all the way back. Banking some points with Jokic’s Nuggets at home feels like a pretty safe move, at least to me.
- Denver is 11-6 straight up at home this season with Jokic playing, and the team is 13-4 against a +4.5 spread.
- The Nuggets have covered or won outright against teams like the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves and Suns.
Last month, without Jokic, the Nuggets lost by five in Cleveland (after entering the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead).
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Cleveland is 6-10 ATS as a road favourite this season. At the end of a five-game road trip, it’s tough to see the Cavs pushing around the Nuggets en route to a convincing win.
NBA SGP legs
Murray 25+ points (-124): Murray (hip inflammation) is questionable for tonight, so his status will be one to monitor as we approach tip-off. But if he’s in, I think he’s a great pick at this number.
- Murray has proven several times this year that he can take over a game, which has led to a career-high scoring average (26.0 PPG).
- The Kitchener, Ontario native is also having a career year as a 3-point shooter, posting his best results in terms of 3PT% (43.2) and makes (3.3/game).
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Cleveland allows the third-most 3s to opposing point guards, per Fantasy Pros, and the team was on the wrong end of a Murray heater last month.
On Jan. 2 vs. the Cavs, Murray went 6-for-12 from deep as part of a 34-point masterpiece.
From that night onward, Murray is 10-6 vs. this prop while averaging 27.7 PPG.
Harden 20+ points (-190): Harden had been the No. 2 scoring option for the Clippers this season, and he’ll also fill that role for the Cavs. With that spot in the pecking order, he should reach this milestone most nights.
- Harden is averaging 25.4 PPG through 45 games this season. He scored 23 points on just 13 shots in his Cleveland debut.
- He is 34-11 vs. this milestone prop, and he has 18+ points in 40 of 45 games.
As a recent member of the Western Conference, Harden has already seen the Nuggets twice this season. He cashed this prop both times.
Cavaliers vs. Nuggets SGP predictions made at 11:25 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2026.
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Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.