Game ID: 22400424
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Denver Nuggets
Friday, December 27, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 38 27 36 34 135CLE 40 40 36 33 149
CLE @ DEN ScoutingCLE @ DEN Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 12/19 · 2 days' restOUT Šarić missed 9 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 35 min since (94% of 37)
BACK Pickett back 12/07 after 14, 12 min since (98% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 12/07 after 3, 11 min since (95% of 12)
DEN availability going into 12/22 · 2 days' restOUT Šarić missed 10 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 36 min since (97% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 12/07 after 3, 11 min since (95% of 12)
DEN availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 11 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 12/16, returns tonight: 23 min (183% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 12/16, returns tonight: 4 min (40% of 10)
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (101% of 37)
DEN availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 12 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (101% of 37)
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 23 min since (183% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 4 min since (40% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 13 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 23 min since (183% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 4 min since (40% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/28 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 14 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (98% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 3 min since (28% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 15 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (98% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 3 min since (28% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 3 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 16 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 13 min (104% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 3 min (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 17 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (33% of 10)
CLE availability going into 12/16 · 2 days' restBACK Wade back 12/03 after 6, 22 min since (107% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 12/13 after 2, 25 min since (134% of 18)
CLE availability going into 12/20 · 3 days' restBACK Okoro back 12/13 after 2, 22 min since (119% of 18)
CLE availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backBACK Okoro back 12/13 after 2, 22 min since (119% of 18)
CLE availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Okoro missed 2 since 12/20, out tonight
CLE availability going into 12/27 · 3 days' restOUT Okoro missed 3 since 12/20, out tonight
CLE availability going into 12/30 · 2 days' restOUT Okoro missed 4 since 12/20, out tonight
CLE availability going into 12/31 · back-to-backOUT Okoro missed 5 since 12/20, out tonight
CLE availability going into 1/03 · 2 days' restOUT Okoro missed 6 since 12/20, out tonight
CLE availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Okoro missed 7 since 12/20, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Murray at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 104, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 21 and Garland at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Okoro (3 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 104 a night to Denver's 117 and the arc, Cleveland at 41 percent from three to Denver's 36. Call it Cleveland 118, Denver 115, Denver keeping it close.
12/19 @ POR 124-126 — DEN notes
DEN lost 124-126. DEN shot 54% (47 of 87) to POR's 46%, 15 of 34 from three. Jokić led with 34 (13 of 18, 4 of 6 from three); Murray added 24, Westbrook 19. Q4 was theirs, 37-22, the deficit cut from 17 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 104-87 against them. Strawther's -17 in 10 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/22 @ NOP 132-129 — DEN notes
DEN won 132-129 in 1 overtime. DEN shot 51% (49 of 97) to NOP's 46%, 10 of 33 from three, and went to the line 32 times to NOP's 23 — 24 points from the stripe to their 17. DEN turned it over 22 times to NOP's 13, and NOP turned those into 16 steals. The glass went 54-43 for them. Jokić led with 27 (11 of 20, 2 of 3 from three); Murray added 27, Westbrook 21. The hinge was Q4, 38-26: DEN came in trailing by 12 and left it level. DEN trailed 59-67 at the half and won the second half 73-62. Strawther was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
12/23 vs PHX 117-90 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-90. DEN shot 51% (46 of 90) to PHX's 40%, 16 of 41 from three. Jokić led with 32 (12 of 17, 4 of 6 from three); Porter Jr. added 24, Gordon 12. The hinge was Q3, 45-28: a lead of 4 became 21, and the lead reached 28. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
12/25 @ PHX 100-110 — DEN notes
DEN lost 100-110. DEN shot 46% (36 of 78) to PHX's 47%, 8 of 29 from three, and went to the line 28 times to PHX's 20 — 20 points from the stripe to their 17. DEN turned it over 16 times to PHX's 7, and PHX turned those into 12 steals. Jokić led with 25 (10 of 19, 2 of 7 from three); Porter Jr. added 22, Westbrook 17. Q2 was theirs, 22-20, the deficit cut from 4 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 90-78 against them. Murray's -16 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs CLE 135-149 — DEN notes
DEN lost 135-149. DEN shot 56% (53 of 94) to CLE's 56%, 15 of 31 from three. Murray led with 27 (10 of 20, 3 of 6 from three); Jokić added 27, Porter Jr. 18. Q4 was theirs, 34-33, the deficit cut from 15 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 116-101 against them. Braun's -21 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/28 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 23 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Cunningham at 27 and Beasley at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Stewart (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-3 a night and Detroit minus-3. Call it Denver 120, Detroit 117, Detroit keeping it close.
12/30 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 24 and Sexton at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without George (4 straight), Collins (3 straight), Hendricks (27 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Gordon (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-10 a night and Denver plus-4 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 19 times a game to Denver's 15. Call it Denver 118, Utah 117, Utah keeping it close.
1/01 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 25 and Hunter at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Daniels (2 straight), Bogdanović (4 straight), Gueye (25 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 12 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and Atlanta minus-1. Call it Denver 121, Atlanta 119, Atlanta keeping it close.
1/03 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 124, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Gordon (4 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 30 and Vassell at 13 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 103 a night to Denver's 124 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 33. Call it Denver 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
12/16 @ BKN 130-101 — CLE notes
CLE won 130-101. CLE shot 53% (43 of 81) to BKN's 42%, 19 of 47 from three. Mobley led with 21 (7 of 9, 6 of 6 at the line); LeVert added 19, Mitchell 18. The hinge was Q1, 37-17: from level to 20 ahead, and the lead reached 37. Mitchell was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
12/20 vs MIL 124-101 — CLE notes
CLE won 124-101. CLE shot 51% (46 of 91) to MIL's 47%, 20 of 47 from three. CLE turned it over 15 times to MIL's 20. Mitchell led with 27 (9 of 15, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Garland added 16, Mobley 15. The hinge was Q1, 29-20: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 36. Mobley was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/21 vs PHI 126-99 — CLE notes
CLE won 126-99. CLE shot 53% (48 of 90) to PHI's 40%, 22 of 43 from three, and got to the line 15 times to PHI's 27. Garland led with 26 (9 of 11, 6 of 7 from three); Mobley added 22, Mitchell 19. The hinge was Q3, 33-21: a lead of 11 became 23, and the lead reached 35. LeVert was the night's best plus/minus at +36.
12/23 vs UTA 124-113 — CLE notes
CLE won 124-113. CLE shot 47% (43 of 91) to UTA's 41%, 20 of 46 from three. CLE turned it over 9 times to UTA's 16. The glass went 40-51 against them. Garland led with 23 (8 of 14, 3 of 6 from three); Mobley added 22, Mitchell 22. The hinge was Q3, 39-32: a lead of 4 became 11, and the lead reached 17. Garland was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/27 @ DEN 149-135 — CLE notes
CLE won 149-135. CLE shot 56% (54 of 96) to DEN's 56%, 23 of 48 from three. Mitchell led with 33 (10 of 17, 6 of 12 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Mobley added 26, Garland 25. The hinge was Q2, 40-27: a lead of 2 became 15, and the lead reached 21. Wade was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
12/30 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 25 and Kuminga at 24 a game. Without Payton II (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 45 from three, 21 free throws a game; Mitchell at 24 and Mobley at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Okoro (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 45 percent from three to Golden State's 31. Call it Cleveland 117, Golden State 111.
12/31 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; James at 28 and Reaves at 21 a game. Without Hayes (14 straight), Vanderbilt (25 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 45 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Garland at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Okoro (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 25 free throws a game to Cleveland's 17 and the arc, Cleveland at 45 percent from three to the Lakers' 39. Call it Cleveland 116, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/03 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Irving at 30 and Dinwiddie at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Marshall (3 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 44 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Garland at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Okoro (6 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-0 a night and Dallas minus-7 and the arc, Cleveland at 44 percent from three to Dallas's 38. Call it Cleveland 115, Dallas 112, Dallas keeping it close.
1/05 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 18 free throws a game; Mitchell at 24 and Mobley at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Okoro (7 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 109, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bridges at 23 and Mar. Williams at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Miller (3 straight), Ball (3 straight), Gra. Williams (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 41 percent from three to Charlotte's 31 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 16 times a game to Cleveland's 11. Call it Cleveland 119, Charlotte 107, Cleveland by 12.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENCB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
PI Pickett
RW R. Westbrook
CLECL C. LeVert
DG D. Garland
DM D. Mitchell
DW D. Wade
EM E. Mobley
GN G. Niang
JA J. Allen
JT J. Tyson
MS M. Strus
SM S. Merrill
TJ T. Jerome
DEN/CLE the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
DENVER -- — Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points, Evan Mobley had 26 points and the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 149-135 on Friday night for their sixth straight win.
Cleveland set a season high in points and improved to 10-1 since dropping two in a row to Atlanta last month.
Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists for his league-leading 12th triple-double of the season, and Jamal Murray also had 27 with 10 assists for Denver, which has dropped two in a row.
Michael Porter Jr . scored 13 of the Nuggets’ first 25 points to help keep pace with the Cavaliers but only scored five the rest of the way.
Cleveland led by as many as 19 to improve its NBA-best record to 27-4.
Takeaways Cavaliers: Passed the first test in what is the start of their toughest road trip of the season. All five starters made more than half of their field goal attempts and all but Dean Wade scored 20 or more points.
Nuggets: Their porous defense was hurt by the absence of Aaron Gordon , who is out with a right calf strain. They allowed season highs in points and points in the first half (80).
Key moment With Denver leading 53-50 early in the second quarter, Darius Garland sparked a 16-0 run with six of his 25 points that allowed the Cavaliers to take control of the game. Their lead never dipped below double digits the rest of the way.
Key stat Mitchell was 6 of 12 from 3-point range.
Up next The Cavaliers continue their four-game trip out west at Golden State on Monday night, while the Nuggets host Detroit on Saturday night.