December 28th 2024.
The Denver Nuggets suffered a tough loss on Christmas day, and it seemed to be an anomaly in what has otherwise been a successful season. However, their next game against the Cavaliers proved to be more indicative of their recent struggles. They were outscored by 14 points and ended up losing 149-135. This was not the first time they had struggled against the Cavs, as they had previously lost to them earlier in December.
The Nuggets, who have been known for their strong offense, were unable to keep up with the Cavaliers' impressive scoring. Cleveland became only the second team in NBA history to make 20 or more 3-pointers in four consecutive games. In contrast, the Nuggets have not been able to make more than 20 outside shots in a single game this season. Despite shooting 48.4% from beyond the arc, the Nuggets were unable to mount a comeback. They attempted 31 shots from the 3-point line, which is in line with their league-low season average.
The Cavaliers' 149 points were the most the Nuggets have allowed in a regulation game during coach Michael Malone's tenure. This was a significant milestone, surpassing the 145 points that the New York Knicks scored against them one month ago. Malone acknowledged the Cavaliers' impressive performance, saying, "They're a great team. They do that every night... No one seems to be able to stop that team."
Four players on the Cavaliers' roster scored at least 20 points, with Donovan Mitchell leading the way with 33 points. He was joined by Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, all of whom shot over 50% from the field. The team as a whole shot an impressive 58%, making it a tough night for the Nuggets' defense. Jamal Murray bounced back from a quiet Christmas game with 27 points and 11 assists, and Nikola Jokic registered a triple-double. However, they were both guilty of not stepping up defensively, along with the rest of the team.
The Nuggets' struggles became evident by the end of the first half. It wasn't a lack of secondary scoring, as Jokic, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. all contributed on the offensive end. Additionally, the second unit held their own while Jokic was resting, with Porter and Murray providing sufficient offense. Rebounding was not a major issue, and Cleveland's second-chance points were limited. The main problem was the Nuggets' inability to defend against the Cavaliers' strong offense.
Mitchell was on fire throughout the game, and none of Denver's guards could keep up with him or Garland around screens. Aaron Gordon, who is known for his strong defense, was unable to play due to a calf strain. Michael Malone made the decision to start Russell Westbrook instead of the usual replacement, Peyton Watson, to add another defensive-minded player to the lineup. However, Westbrook and Will Barton struggled to contain the Cavaliers' dynamic duo. This was a clear indication that the Nuggets lacked the personnel to handle a matchup against a team like the Cavaliers.
As the game progressed, it became clear that the Nuggets were unable to mount a comeback. They had a brief lapse in scoring, and the Cavaliers took advantage of it, going on a 21-2 run. By halftime, the Nuggets were down 80-65. This was a familiar situation for Denver, as they have been able to come back from double-digit deficits in the past. However, this time, it seemed like they were unable to get the necessary stops on defense to make a comeback.
The second half was no different, as the Cavaliers continued to hunt for 3-pointers. Even when Mitchell's hot streak cooled off, the Nuggets were unable to stop Cleveland's scoring. In the fourth quarter, when Denver was making a push, Mobley hit a couple of back-breaking 3-pointers. It was clear that the Nuggets missed Gordon's presence on the defensive end. He is expected to miss the next game against the Pistons, and coach Malone is unsure of his availability moving forward. Malone stated, "I don't like to give timelines because they're always so hard to gauge with a soft-tissue injury like Aaron has... Hopefully, we stopped it in time to where it's going to be much fewer games than the first time."
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