DENVER (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers showcased their dominance on Friday night as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 149-135, marking their sixth consecutive victory. This win not only gave them momentum on their current road trip but also set a new season high for points, improving their record to 10-1 since facing back-to-back losses to Atlanta last month.
Leading the way for the Cavaliers was Donovan Mitchell, who scored 33 points, complemented by Evan Mobley’s impressive 26. The Cavaliers' offensive performance was nothing short of explosive, with all five starters contributing significantly to the scoreboard. It’s worth noting this victory improved Cleveland's NBA-best record to 27-4.
On the opposing side, the Nuggets were powered by Nikola Jokic, who continued his phenomenal performance this season with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, capturing his league-leading 12th triple-double. Jamal Murray also contributed with 27 points and 10 assists, but the team was unable to overcome the Cavaliers’ offensive barrage.
Michael Porter Jr. tried to keep the Nuggets competitive by scoring 13 of the team’s first 25 points, but his scoring fizzled, as he managed only five points for the remainder of the game. Cleveland took full advantage of Denver's defensive lapses, particularly spotlighted by the absence of Aaron Gordon due to a right calf strain, which hurt the Nuggets' defensive strategy significantly.
The pivotal moment of the game occurred early in the second quarter when the Nuggets momentarily led 53-50. Darius Garland ignited the Cavaliers with six of his 25 points, triggering a stunning 16-0 run. Following this surge, the Cavaliers never looked back, maintaining at least a double-digit lead for the rest of the evening.
The game was characterized by offensive efficiency from Cleveland, as all five starters made over half of their field goal attempts, indicating a cohesive team performance. Mitchell shone particularly bright, hitting 6 of 12 from three-point range, proving his sharpshooting ability was key to this victory.
Following this decisive win, the Cavaliers have passed their first significant test on what was noted as one of the toughest road trips of the season. The Nuggets, conversely, face challenges as they struggle with missed opportunities on defense and hurt by key player absences.
The Cavaliers will proceed to continue their four-game venture out west with a matchup against Golden State on Monday night. The Nuggets will look to regroup as they host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, hoping to return to winning ways.
This thrilling matchup not only highlighted the Cavaliers’ strengths but also raised questions for the Nuggets on how to address their defensive issues moving forward as they strive to regain momentum this season.
