The Cleveland Cavaliers stretched their winning streak to three games on Friday night, holding off a depleted Denver Nuggets squad 113-108 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and handed out five assists, providing the bulk of Cleveland’s offense in a game that remained tight until the closing minutes. The Cavaliers improved to 20-16.
Denver (23-11) traveled without four of its five opening-night starters, but Jamal Murray kept the visitors in contention by dropping 28 of his game-high 34 points in the first half. Cleveland adjusted after intermission, trapping Murray and forcing the ball out of his hands, but the shift opened space for the Nuggets’ reserves to connect on 7-of-13 three-pointers in the third quarter and outscore the hosts 38-26.
The Cavaliers answered in the fourth. They grabbed five offensive rebounds that produced nine second-chance points and limited Denver to 11 points on 4-of-20 shooting over the final 12 minutes.
Mitchell’s backcourt partner Darius Garland added 18 points and eight assists, though he committed six turnovers. Mitchell turned the ball over four times as Cleveland finished with 16 giveaways.
The bench steadied the Cavs. DeAndre Hunter supplied 16 points, five boards and four assists, while Lonzo Ball delivered a low-volume line that coach J.B. Bickerstaff credited for its defensive impact.
Peyton Watson chipped in 21 points for Denver, which struggled inside without its usual frontcourt rotation.
Cleveland will try to keep its momentum on Sunday when the conference-leading Detroit Pistons visit for a 2 p.m. ET tipoff.
Source: Hoops Wire
