Recap: Denver Nuggets Fail to Cover Three-Point Line, Lose Big to Cleveland Cavaliers 126-114
On December 6, 2024, the Denver Nuggets suffered a disappointing defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 126-114 in a game that highlighted their struggles defensively, particularly when it came to guarding the three-point line. Despite a solid performance from their stars, the Nuggets were unable to keep pace with a Cleveland team that was firing on all cylinders, especially from beyond the arc. This loss marks another chapter in what has been a challenging stretch for Denver as they struggle to maintain consistency, particularly in high-pressure moments.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, executed their offensive game plan to near perfection, exploiting the Nuggets’ defensive lapses and draining threes at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, Denver’s defense, which has been a strength in previous seasons, was exposed as they failed to contest shots effectively on the perimeter. The Cavaliers’ dynamic offense took full advantage of this, delivering a dominant win that sent a message to the Nuggets: improvement is needed, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
First Half: Cleveland’s Hot Shooting and Denver’s Struggles
From the opening tip, it was clear that the Cleveland Cavaliers were on a mission to outgun the Denver Nuggets. The game began with a frenetic pace as both teams exchanged baskets early, but it didn’t take long for Cleveland’s shooting to heat up. The Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead, thanks in large part to Donovan Mitchell‘s ability to hit from deep. Mitchell, who has been one of the NBA’s top scorers this season, was in prime form, knocking down several contested three-pointers and finishing strong at the rim.
By the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers had already hit five three-pointers, building a lead that would only grow. Despite some strong individual performances from Nikola Jokić, who finished with a solid line of 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, Denver’s defense simply could not stop Cleveland’s perimeter shooting. The Nuggets were late on their closeouts, allowing Cleveland to get into rhythm from deep, which kept them on the back foot for the rest of the game.
Throughout the second quarter, the Nuggets tried to claw back into the contest, but every time they made a run, Cleveland answered with yet another three-pointer. Darius Garland, playing in the shadow of Mitchell but still capable of carrying the offense, knocked down several big shots, providing additional spacing and creating problems for the Denver defense. The Nuggets’ failure to contest shots or adjust to the Cavaliers’ shooting barrage became glaring, as the home team managed to extend their lead going into halftime.
At the break, Cleveland was shooting 44% from three-point range, while Denver was struggling to defend the perimeter, allowing Cleveland to build a comfortable lead of 68-57. The Nuggets, despite their strong offensive capabilities, simply couldn’t match Cleveland’s scoring surge from long range.
Second Half: Cleveland’s Sharpshooting Continues, Nuggets Left Behind
The third quarter saw more of the same as Cleveland continued to capitalize on Denver’s defensive deficiencies. The Nuggets made slight adjustments by rotating more defenders to contest shots, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Cleveland’s high-powered offense. Mitchell continued to light up the scoreboard, making a series of deep three-pointers that demoralized the Nuggets. His ability to hit contested shots and play off screens was a testament to his skill and determination to lead his team to victory.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets were still struggling to keep pace. Jokić, despite his best efforts, was often forced to work from the perimeter due to Cleveland’s defense sagging off his teammates. With the Cavaliers focusing much of their energy on limiting Denver’s three-point opportunities, the Nuggets found it difficult to score consistently, especially when they were unable to generate any stops on the other end of the floor.
The Cavaliers also got contributions from other players like Evan Mobley, who had a solid performance with 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen, who provided strong interior defense and rebounding. Mobley’s presence on both ends of the floor helped Cleveland maintain their lead and continue to stretch the floor. Every time Denver seemed to make a push, Cleveland was there with a big shot or a timely defensive stop.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Nuggets were in a near impossible position, trailing by as many as 20 points. While they did make a few scoring runs, they were unable to get the necessary stops on defense to truly threaten Cleveland. As the game entered its final stages, Cleveland had done more than enough to seal the win, with Mitchell and Garland continuing to score with ease.
The Three-Point Line: Cleveland’s Uncontested Advantage
The most significant factor in Denver’s loss was their inability to defend the three-point line. The Cavaliers finished the game shooting a blistering 18-of-39 from beyond the arc, an impressive 46% clip. This was a major contrast to Denver’s performance, where they only hit 12-of-33 from three-point range, struggling to maintain the same level of efficiency.
The Nuggets’ failure to defend the three-point line was not a new problem, but it was certainly exacerbated by Cleveland’s sharpshooting. Denver has shown defensive vulnerabilities throughout the season, particularly against teams that are able to stretch the floor and shoot from the perimeter. The Cavaliers took full advantage of these weaknesses, consistently finding open looks from beyond the arc and knocking them down at a high rate.
Donovan Mitchell‘s scorching hot shooting night, in particular, was a game-changer. He finished with 38 points and added 6 assists to his impressive stat line. Mitchell’s ability to hit shots from deep, as well as his ability to attack the basket, made him nearly impossible to stop. His presence on the court not only led to easy baskets for him but also opened up opportunities for other players, such as Garland and Mobley, to contribute offensively.
Nuggets’ Offensive Efforts Fall Short
While Denver’s offense wasn’t exactly inefficient, they struggled to keep pace with Cleveland’s shooting. Jamal Murray, who has had an inconsistent start to the season, finished with 22 points but struggled with his shooting, particularly from three-point range, where he made just 3-of-8 attempts. Without the usual offensive firepower from their supporting cast, the Nuggets were forced to rely too heavily on Jokić, who had a monster game but could not carry the load alone.
Aaron Gordon added 14 points and played well defensively at times, but he couldn’t offer enough to make a significant impact when the game slipped away. Michael Porter Jr., another key piece of the Nuggets’ rotation, was also largely ineffective. He finished with only 10 points, and like many of his teammates, was caught out of position defensively.
Cleveland’s Defensive Efforts and Balance
While the Cavaliers’ offensive explosion was the main story of the game, their defense also played a pivotal role in the victory. Cleveland’s defense was structured around stopping the Nuggets’ three-point shooters and forcing them into contested shots. Mitchell and Garland were active on defense, and Cleveland’s bigs did a great job of contesting shots in the paint.
The balance between offensive firepower and defensive discipline was key for the Cavaliers, as they allowed Denver to score points but ensured that they didn’t get easy looks from deep. Cleveland’s defense limited Denver to only 7-of-22 shooting in the final quarter, putting the game well beyond reach.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Cleveland, A Wake-Up Call for Denver
In the end, the Cleveland Cavaliers earned a dominant 126-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets in a game where their three-point shooting and balanced team effort left the Nuggets struggling to recover. Donovan Mitchell’s performance, combined with Cleveland’s defensive strategy and depth, was more than enough to secure the win.
For the Nuggets, this loss serves as a wake-up call. Their defense, particularly on the perimeter, has been inconsistent, and if they hope to be a serious contender in the Western Conference, they will need to improve in that area. While their offense remains potent, especially with the brilliance of Nikola Jokić, they must find ways to become more complete and stop high-scoring teams like Cleveland from exploiting their weaknesses.
As for the Cavaliers, this victory is a clear statement of their growing potential. With Mitchell leading the charge and a well-balanced team supporting him, Cleveland is positioning itself as one of the teams to watch in the Eastern Conference moving forward.
