The Cavaliers were back in action Friday night after getting a few days off during the holiday. Cleveland was rested and ready to go as they took on the Denver Nuggets. They won that game convincingly as they beat the Nuggets 149-135.
It was a high-scoring affair and the Cavs had 80 points at the end of the first half. In the end, the Nuggets had seven players that scored in double figures, but it was not enough for the Cavs core and bench. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 33 points, which was due to his hot start early in the game. He had 25 of those points at the end of the half. Evan Mobley finished with 26 points, Darius Garland finished with 25 points and Jarrett Allen finished with 22. Dean Wade had a solid game as he finished with 11 points.
The Cavs’ four potential All-Stars had a great showing against a former championship team. Then with Wade in the starting lineup, as well as solid performances off the bench from guys like Caris LeVert and Sam Merrill, Cleveland kept their perfect record against Western Conference teams alive. Cleveland is 27-4 this season and their four losses were against East teams. They lost to the Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks twice and the Miami Heat. When it comes to their home games against the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans (who they also beat on the road), the Golden State Warriors and their games against Denver, the Cavaliers cleared those teams.
For their next few games, the Cavs are on the road. They take on the Warriors, the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. Two of those three teams will be out for revenge due to the games earlier in the season. Road trips are always difficult, and West Coast trips are even more challenging. Whether it is time differences, the level of competition or whatever the case may be.
Cleveland has a tough task ahead of them, and it brings up a question. Can they keep up their winning ways on this trip? The Cavaliers are currently on a six-game winning streak and as mentioned, they are undefeated against West teams. The Warriors are on a three-game losing streak including their Christmas loss to the Lakers. Los Angeles is sixth in the West with a record of 17-13. Their win over Golden State was a chance to recover from their loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Mavericks lost their Christmas game and will play without Luka Doncic for at least a month due to a calf injury. All three teams are in different spaces, and after what the Cavs did to the Nuggets, winning these games should not be an issue.
Cleveland remains the top team in the league, with the Oklahoma City Thunder (who are on a nine-game winning streak) not too far behind. The Cavaliers have a good thing going, and this brief road trip is not only a chance to keep it going, but it is also a test. A test they can pass with flying colors.
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