Cavaliers Beat The Denver Nuggets 121-109: Game Recap 11/19/23

November 19, 2023

Andy Billman

Post-Game Recap


3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – Allen

Wow, Jarrett Allen! What a time for Allen to have his best game, with a plus-minus of +42 on the night when he was on Nikola Jokic most of the evening along with Evan Mobley. Jokic only scored 18 points and was frustrated with foul trouble caused by Allen’s defense. 

2 – Boards

The Cavs dominated the rebounding over the Nuggets, winning the battle 47 to 33.

3 – Craig Porter Jr.

Ty Jerome might want to get back on the court ASAP, as Craig Porter Jr., with his 21 points on the night, is pushing for minutes.  As the game continued, Porter seemed to get stronger on the offensive end, making multiple mid-range jumpers off the glass. 


Game Summary

In Sunday night’s game, Darius Garland led the way with 26 points, while rookie Craig Porter Jr. had a career-high 21, propelling the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-109 triumph over the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets.

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, with Jarrett Allen adding 15 points. The Cavaliers secured their victory with a season-high 26-point lead in the fourth quarter, marking their third consecutive win.

Notably, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, averaging 29.2 points, was sidelined due to a right hamstring strain, and Caris LeVert did not play due to a sore left knee.

Despite foul trouble, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic managed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 28 minutes. Jokic had previously made history as the first player since Elgin Baylor in 1967 to start a season with 12 games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. contributed 21 points, and Christian Braun added 13 off the bench. The Nuggets suffered their fourth straight road loss after an initial two-game winning streak, bringing their current five-game trip to Houston with a 0-2 record.

Cleveland dominated the boards with a 47-33 rebounding advantage over Denver, employing a strategic approach with Mobley and Allen defending against Jokic on multiple possessions. Garland and Mobley played pivotal roles in the first half, helping Cleveland lead 66-58 at halftime, with Porter contributing 13 points and Jokic scoring 10 for Denver.

Although Nuggets shooting guard Jamal Murray missed his sixth consecutive game due to a right hamstring strain, he traveled with the team, and coach Michael Malone has not ruled out his return during the ongoing road trip.

Up Next

Away vs Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday at 7 PM.

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