NBA · Final

Cavaliers Edge Nuggets in Thrilling Finish

Cleveland Cavaliers33-21

119

Denver Nuggets34-20

117

Monday, February 9, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Ball Arena

Cleveland Cavaliers 119, Denver Nuggets 117, final. Today's NBA pick is already sealed, as a hash, before kickoff.

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Quick answers

Who won Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets?

Cleveland Cavaliers beat Denver Nuggets 119-117 at Ball Arena on February 9, 2026.

Who was favored in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets?

Denver Nuggets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup at Ball Arena, the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 119-117. This victory marked the Cavaliers' third consecutive win over the Nuggets this season, extending their series lead to 3-0. The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth scoring, particularly in the fourth quarter, where both teams showcased their offensive prowess.

The Nuggets entered the game with a home record of 34-20, while the Cavaliers held an away record of 33-21. The recent form of both teams highlighted a stark contrast; the Nuggets had a record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games, with an average of 104.0 points scored and 101.7 points allowed. They were on a one-game winning streak, having defeated the Chicago Bulls 136-120 in their previous outing. In contrast, the Cavaliers were on a hot streak, boasting an 8-2 record over their last ten games, averaging 118.2 points scored and allowing 109.7 points. Their recent form included a notable 132-126 victory against the Sacramento Kings just two days prior.

Historically, the Nuggets have struggled against the Cavaliers, losing all three meetings this season. Their last encounter on January 3, 2026, saw the Nuggets fall 108-113 in Cleveland. The two previous matchups also resulted in defeats for the Nuggets, with scores of 135-149 and 114-126 in December 2024. This trend added an extra layer of pressure on the Nuggets to perform at home against a team that had consistently bested them.

In terms of injuries, the Nuggets faced uncertainty with Aaron Gordon and Trevon Brazile both listed as day-to-day, which could have impacted their lineup and overall performance. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, appeared to be at full strength, which likely contributed to their recent success.

The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with DraftKings setting the odds with the Nuggets favored by 2.5 points. The total points line was set at 242.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring game. The moneyline odds were -135 for the Nuggets and +114 for the Cavaliers, suggesting a closer contest than the spread indicated.

The game conditions were typical for a February evening in Denver, with a lively crowd at Ball Arena adding to the atmosphere. Fans witnessed a thrilling finish, with key scoring plays defining the closing moments. Jarrett Allen made a crucial layup assisted by Donovan Mitchell to bring the Cavaliers within one point, followed by Nikola Jokic converting free throws to extend the Nuggets' lead. However, Allen responded with an alley-oop dunk, keeping the game tight.

The final moments saw James Harden hitting a significant three-pointer to tie the game, but it was Donovan Mitchell's free throws that sealed the victory for the Cavaliers. As the clock ran down, the Nuggets were unable to reclaim the lead, resulting in a hard-fought loss on their home court.

Viewers should have noted the strategic plays and adjustments made by both teams throughout the game, particularly in the fourth quarter, where every possession was critical. The performance of key players, including Jokic for the Nuggets and Mitchell for the Cavaliers, was pivotal in shaping the outcome of this exciting matchup.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	DEN -2.5	242.5 o -110 / u -110	Cleveland Cavaliers +114 · Denver Nuggets -135

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Aaron GordonDay-To-DayCalfDenver Nuggets
Trevon BrazileDay-To-DayUndisclosedDenver Nuggets

Leaders

PointsNikola Jokic22Denver Nuggets
AssistsNikola Jokic11Denver Nuggets
ReboundsNikola Jokic14Denver Nuggets
PointsDonovan Mitchell32Cleveland Cavaliers
AssistsDonovan Mitchell10Cleveland Cavaliers
ReboundsJarrett Allen13Cleveland Cavaliers

Recent form

Denver Nuggets

Last 10: 5-4-1Streak W1104 scored · 101.7 allowed per game2-2 at home

W136-120at Chicago BullsFeb 8
L127-134at New York KnicksFeb 5
L121-124at Detroit PistonsFeb 4
L111-121vs Oklahoma City ThunderFeb 2
W122-109vs LA ClippersJan 31
W107-103vs Brooklyn NetsJan 30
L107-109vs Detroit PistonsJan 28
D0-0at Memphis GrizzliesJan 25
W102-100at Milwaukee BucksJan 24
W107-97at Washington WizardsJan 23

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last 10: 8-2Streak W3118.2 scored · 109.7 allowed per game5-1 away

W132-126at Sacramento KingsFeb 8
W124-91at LA ClippersFeb 5
W130-111at Portland Trail BlazersFeb 2
L113-126at Phoenix SunsJan 31
W129-99vs Los Angeles LakersJan 29
W114-98vs Orlando MagicJan 27
W119-105at Orlando MagicJan 25
W123-118vs Sacramento KingsJan 24
W94-87at Charlotte HornetsJan 22
L104-136vs Oklahoma City ThunderJan 19

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Detroit	-	22	W3	.732	60
Cleveland	8	30	W1	.634	52
Milwaukee	28	50	L1	.390	32
Chicago	29	51	L2	.378	31
Indiana	41	63	L2	.232	19
Oklahoma City	-	18	L2	.780	64
Denver	10	28	W12	.659	54
Minnesota	15	33	W2	.598	49
Portland	22	40	W2	.512	42
Utah	42	60	L1	.268	22

Box score

Stat	Cleveland Cavaliers	Denver Nuggets
Field goals	43-92	38-85
Field goal %	47	45
Three-pointers	15-45	13-40
Three-point %	33	32
Free throws	18-22	28-35
Free throw %	82	80
Rebounds	39	46
Offensive rebounds	12	12
Defensive rebounds	27	34
Assists	25	25
Steals	6	9
Blocks	7	1
Turnovers	12	13
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	18
Fast-break points	9	24
Points in the paint	50	40
Fouls	29	23
Largest lead	6	11
Lead changes	4	4
Time in front	3	89

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter80-86Jamal Murray makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter83-86Donovan Mitchell makes 25-foot three pointer (Dennis Schroder assists)
3rd Quarter83-87Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter83-88Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter84-88Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter85-88Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter87-88Donovan Mitchell makes 6-foot hook shot
3rd Quarter87-90Jamal Murray makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot
3rd Quarter87-92Julian Strawther makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot (Jamal Murray assists)
4th Quarter87-93Julian Strawther makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter87-96Tim Hardaway Jr. makes 23-foot running jump shot (Cameron Johnson assists)
4th Quarter90-96Nae'Qwan Tomlin makes 25-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)
4th Quarter90-97Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter90-98Nikola Jokic makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter90-100Nikola Jokic makes 14-foot jumper
4th Quarter92-100Dennis Schroder makes 2-foot two point shot
4th Quarter92-103Jalen Pickett makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nikola Jokic assists)
4th Quarter93-103Jarrett Allen makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter96-103James Harden makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sam Merrill assists)
4th Quarter96-104Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter96-105Christian Braun makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter96-106Christian Braun makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter99-106Jaylon Tyson makes 25-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)
4th Quarter102-106Sam Merrill makes 27-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)
4th Quarter104-106Jarrett Allen makes 1-foot dunk (James Harden assists)
4th Quarter104-109Christian Braun makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jamal Murray assists)
4th Quarter104-110Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter104-111Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter107-111Jaylon Tyson makes 26-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)
4th Quarter108-111Jarrett Allen makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter110-111Donovan Mitchell makes 3-foot two point shot
4th Quarter110-113Tim Hardaway Jr. makes 8-foot floating jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists)
4th Quarter112-113Jarrett Allen makes 2-foot layup (Donovan Mitchell assists)
4th Quarter112-114Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter112-115Nikola Jokic makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter114-115Jarrett Allen makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists)
4th Quarter114-117Nikola Jokic makes 5-foot two point shot
4th Quarter117-117James Harden makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
4th Quarter118-117Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter119-117Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2