Cavs defensive struggles continue, fall to the Nuggets at home

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE via Getty Images)ion

Coming off their best game of the season against the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers laid an egg at home to the Denver Nuggets, losing 106-97, ending their four-game winning streak.

After beating the Nuggets in Denver just ten guys ago, the Cavs were looking for the season sweep, this time playing at home. The offense of the Cavs, which has looked dynamite ever since that game against Denver, had a setback of their recent hot offensive streak. The Cavs had had an offensive rating of 103.2, their second lowest of the season. As a team, they were held to just 43 percent shooting, including 34.5 percent from three. Four players scored 20 points for Cleveland, including Kevin Love, who had 20 points to go with 11 rebounds, giving him his fifth double-double of the year.

Defensively, it was the same story for the Cavs. For the seventh time in nine games, the Cavs allowed their opponent to score 100 points. The backcourt combination of Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo made life tough for the Cleveland defense. Neither player made an impact the last time these two teams played (Lawson did not play and Afflalo had 0 points), but tonight they combined for 47 points and 15 assists (12 of them coming from Lawson).

The Cavs also struggled to maintain Denver's second unit scoring, specifically Darrell Arthur and Nate Robinson. Between them, they combined to go 6-of-6 on 3-pointers, including some big shots when the Cavs needed a stop in the fourth. Arthur, who received a flagrant two foul after intentionally fouling Dion Waiter in the previous game, also added 11 rebounds to go with his 13 points.

The next two games for Cleveland do not get any easier. On Wednesday, the defending NBA champs come to the Q, then the Cavs travel to Washington on Friday to take on a Wizards team that currently leads the Eastern Conference. Depending on which Cavs team shows up, there is a real possibility this team could fall under .500 11 games into the season.

Three Things

1. Love was (kind of) in the air tonight.

During the previous four games, LeBron and Kyrie seemed to have found their groove that they did not have the first four games of the season. The offense was beginning to click, averaging 119.3 points per game over that stretch. As good as things were looking, there was one thing missing: Kevin Love. He wasn't physically missing, but his All-Star level of play was. Tonight, he returned to that form when the Cavs needed it. With LeBron battling the cold and Kyrie having an off-night, Love was the only one who could get it going for the Cavs, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Once all three of LeBron, Irving and Love get it going, they will be scary.

2. Every team will bring their A-game against the Cavs (except the Hawks).

Take out that Hawks game, and every game the Cavs played, their opponent has played one of their best games of the season. Tonight was no exception; after getting blown out the night before, and beaten handily by the Cavs in their last match-up, the Nuggets looked like a completely different team. Tonight showed the Cavs cannot take any nights off and expect to win. The Cavs almost looked disinterested, and Denver took advantage. This wasn't the first time it happened, and it definitely won't be the last.

3. Ball hard, Dion Waiters.

A lot has happened with Dion Waiters over the last couple of months. First, he publicly stated he did not want to come off the bench back in the off-season. Then, in a game against Utah, he missed the national anthem because of his religion, then denied it was because his religion. After that, he was replaced in the starting lineup by Shawn Marion. His play has been sporadic so far, with a few good games and even more bad games. Tonight was different. Waiters easily had his best game of the young season, scoring 20 points on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting off the bench. Just like Love, if Waiters can start to find his rhythm, it will only add to the potency off the offense.

Statline of the night: Ty Lawson. 24 points, 12 assists. 9-18 from the field.

It was noted in our preview that Kyrie struggled against quicker guards, and it was on display tonight. But it wasn't just Kyrie that Lawson tore apart, it was everyone else on the Cavs (except LeBron). Lawson constantly found an open shooter, leading to a number of good looks for the Nuggets. It showed how bad the Nuggets are without Lawson in the last game these two played, and tonight, he was the difference in a Nuggets win.

What's next: November 19, home against the San Antonio Spurs. 7 p.m.