In their recent clash with the Denver Nuggets, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured an unexpected victory against the reigning champions. Despite entering the game as one of the league’s weakest rebounding teams, the Cavs dominated the glass from the outset. With Donovan Mitchell sidelined, Darius Garland took the lead. The Cavs decided to attack the Nuggets directly at their strength—the basket. As a result, they outscored them in points in the paint; resulting in a 121-109 victory.

Moreover, the Cavaliers thwarted Denver’s attempts to build momentum throughout the game. They did that by capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, scoring 19 points from them throughout the game. Additionally, the Cavs strategically deployed multiple big men to make things tough for Nikola Jokic, intensifying the burden of Jamal Murray’s absence on the 2x MVP.

1. Darius Garland had great company

Six Cavaliers marked double-digit scoring against the Nuggets, spearheaded by Darius Garland and his 26 points. Craig Porter Jr stepped up to the limelight with an impressive 21 points and 4 assists. The Cavs’ offense became widespread as Georges Niang shot 2 out of 3 shots from beyond the arc, tallying 12 points. Furthermore, Evan Mobley efficiently recorded 16 points with 8-11 shooting from the field, marking a double-double with the help of 10 rebounds.

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Jarrett Allen also made his presence felt. Apart from guarding Jokic, he posted 15 points and 5 assists, contributing to the well-rounded offensive display.

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2. Jokic was restricted early, due to foul trouble

Entering the game, the Cavaliers were without two of their top three scorers, while the Nuggets were missing Jamal Murray. However, as the match unfolded, it became apparent that the Nuggets would face additional challenges. With more than half of the second quarter still on the clock, the Cavaliers forced the Nuggets to adjust their strategy as Nikola Jokic accumulated five personal fouls.

The Nuggets’ superstar found himself restricted for the remainder of the night. Moreover, from that quarter onward, the Cavaliers held the lead throughout the game. Jokic concluded the match with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists; ending his 12-game streak of achieving at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

3. The Nuggets miss Jamal Murray

Enduring Jamal Murray‘s absence for at least another two weeks, Jokic is shouldering the bulk of the workload for the Nuggets. Despite his constant stellar performances, the team has been falling short recently. Apart from Jokic, Michael Porter Jr is also seen as a crucial figure to fill the void left by Murray’s injury.

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Since Murray’s setback, Porter has experienced a surge in both production and playing time. He has surpassed the 20-point mark in five of the last eight games, showcasing efficient shooting during the stretch. However, Denver is yearning for the versatility and on-ball skills that Murray used to bring to the court.

With Denver on a 2-game losing streak, can Nikola Jokic turn their fortunes around? Will Jamal Murray’s absence for the next two weeks negatively impact their season to a point of no return?