Very angry with the Kings after the dismissal of Mike Brown, Mike Malone was not even angry with his players. This night, Nikola Jokic and his partners hit rock bottom in front of their home crowd, conceding 149 points against the NBA leaders, the Cavaliers. Denver had never conceded so many points this season, but also in 48 minutes since Mike Malone took control of the team, and the first period was catastrophic…
In the wake of a great Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers started the game at a gallop to lead 14-8 after three minutes. There are races, penetrations, good shifts, and as the shooters are skillful, the Denver defense is already on its heels. Fortunately for the Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. has the hot hand. Well served by Jamal Murray, the winger keeps his formation in contact (21-17). At his side, Nikola Jokic twice forgot Jarrett Allen, and the Cavaliers escaped again. For once, it is Denver's “second unit” which makes the best impression, and on an alley-oop from Peyton Watson, the Nuggets return to -2 (40-38).
There is improvement on the Denver side in attack, and thanks to Jamal Murray, the Nuggets even take control of the match. Without Nikola Jokic, Denver signs an 8-2, and the leader of the Nuggets gives three points ahead of a “floater” of which he has the secret (53-50). Malone sends Jokic back to the floor, and then the dam breaks… Darius Garland takes the match for himself, and Cleveland passes a terrible 16-0! Sam Merrill connects the winning baskets, Dean Wade covers Russell Westbrook, and Allen continues his festival near the circle. Result: +13 for the Cavaliers (66-53), and the Nuggets KO Porter Jr. went out, and at the break, the Nuggets were trailing 80-65!
No “stop”!
Returning from the locker room, the offensive festival continues, and it is Evan Mobley who takes over from Allen. Denver's attack is regaining color, but the defense is catastrophic. In the first half, Jokic and Murray were the weak points. In second grade, it’s everyone! Garland distributes the game as he wishes, and it is Mobley who takes the opportunity to flirt with the 20 points lead (93-75). More discreet, Mitchell passed the baton to Caris LeVert, and Cleveland finally reached the 20 point gap (113-93).
We waited, in vain, for a start from the Nuggets but without any “stops”, it was impossible to pick up the score, and it was with 3-pointers from Wade, LeVert and George Niang that the Cavaliers maintained a wide gap until the end. end, to win 149-135. The Cavaliers started their “road trip” with heavy lifting, and they clearly sent a message!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
You miss only one being… Hit again in the calf, Aaron Gordon was missing, and especially in the Nuggets racket. It was on the “pick-and-roll” and the coverage on Darius Garland’s “drives” that his absence was most felt.
A very effective five. As in the “first leg”, the Cavaliers finished with four players at 20 points or more. What we remember is the efficiency of the starters since they all finished with at least 55% marksmanship. At 19 out of 26 on shots, the Allen-Mobley pair wandered.
The 3-point contrast. Dean Wade and his partners became the second team in history to string four games in a row with at least 20 3-point baskets. In Denver, we still haven't achieved the only one of 20 3-point baskets in a game this season…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
