DENVER — The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a roll, securing their sixth consecutive victory by defeating the Denver Nuggets 149-135 on Friday night. This win marks a season-high for points for Cleveland, which has now improved to an impressive 10-1 record since experiencing back-to-back losses against Atlanta last month.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with an impressive 33 points, while Evan Mobley contributed significantly with 26 points. In contrast, Nikola Jokic had a solid performance for the Nuggets, finishing the game with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, marking his league-leading 12th triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray matched Jokic’s score with 27 points and added 10 assists. Unfortunately for Denver, this loss means they have now dropped two games in a row.
A bright spot for the Nuggets came from Michael Porter Jr., who managed to score 13 of the team’s initial 25 points, helping to keep the score competitive in the first half. However, he was limited to just five points for the remainder of the game. The Cavaliers managed to build a lead of as many as 19 points, further solidifying their position with an outstanding NBA-best record of 27-4.
In terms of notable takeaways, the Cavaliers successfully passed an early test as they begin their toughest road trip of the season. Impressively, all five of their starters shot over 50% from the field, with everyone except Dean Wade scoring at least 20 points.
On the other hand, the Nuggets struggled defensively, particularly in the absence of Aaron Gordon, who is sidelined with a right calf strain. Denver allowed their opponents to set season highs for points and first-half scoring (80 points).
A crucial moment in the matchup occurred early in the second quarter with the Nuggets ahead 53-50. Darius Garland ignited a game-changing 16-0 run by scoring six of his 25 points, enabling the Cavaliers to seize control. From that point forward, their lead never fell below double digits.
A significant stat to note is that Mitchell successfully converted six out of 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will continue their four-game road trip by facing off against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.
