Cavaliers Cruise Past Nuggets with Garland’s 26 Points and Porter Jr.’s Career-High 21

In a commanding performance on November 19, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 121-109 victory over the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets. Darius Garland led the charge with an impressive 26 points, while undrafted rookie Craig Porter Jr. delivered a career-high 21 points, contributing significantly to Cleveland’s success.

Evan Mobley showcased his skills with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen added 15 points for the Cavaliers. The team built a season-high 26-point lead, claiming their third consecutive win. Cleveland’s dominance was evident in the 29 minutes that Allen spent on the court, outscoring Denver by an impressive 42 points during that time.

“Everyone stepped up to the plate, that’s what got us the win,” remarked Mobley. “Between him and me and D.G., it was just a work of art playing basketball the right way and doing things together.”

Despite Nuggets center Nikola Jokic’s efforts, including 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 28 minutes, Denver struggled to match Cleveland’s performance. Jokic, a two-time MVP, had previously set a record by starting the season with 12 games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

“They were better than us today,” admitted Jokic. “I thought we played a little stagnant and needed more movement.”

Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and sixth man Caris LeVert were sidelined due to injuries, yet Cleveland dominated the boards, outrebounding the Nuggets 47-33. Garland emphasized the crucial role played by their big men, crediting them for an outstanding job guarding Jokic.

“Give all credit to our bigs, they did a hell of a job guarding Jokic and made it hard for him to catch the ball,” said Garland. “We were a little short-handed and our defense carried us the entire game. That was the key, I thought.”

Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points, and Christian Braun contributed 13 points off the bench. Despite their efforts, the Nuggets dropped their fourth consecutive road game, extending their struggles after winning the initial two.

The Cavaliers’ defensive prowess, highlighted by Allen’s exceptional performance against Jokic, played a pivotal role in securing the convincing victory. Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Allen’s efforts, noting that he made Jokic work for every point.

As the Nuggets continue their road trip, the return of shooting guard Jamal Murray remains uncertain. Coach Michael Malone has not ruled out Murray’s comeback during the ongoing journey.