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.

Cavs look to defeat the Nuggets for the second time in two weeks

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

After defeating the Denver Nuggets just 10 days ago in Denver, the Cleveland Cavaliers look to take round two from the Nuggets, this time at home.

Denver Nuggets

Record: 2-7, t-13th in the Western Conference

Offense: 101.1 offensive rating (21st)

Defense: 107.3 defensive rating (25th)

The Last Result(s)

We could talk about The Good and The Bad for this section, but we chose not to since they have already matched up against the Cavs. We'll save those for teams the Cavs play the first time.

It was only 10 days ago that these two team faced off in Denver, with the Cavs coming out on top 110-101. We wrote about it here, but if you don't want to read it, that's okay. 

The win for the Cavs was the start of their current four-game winning streak. It was also the start of an offense tear for the Cavs, playing at the level many thought they would be at after a rough start to the season (it was only four games, but still). After a loss to the Utah Jazz the night before, where as a team they only dished out six assists, the Cavs had 25 assists against the Nuggets, led by LeBron James' 11, while also having seven guys in double figures.

This game was mostly out of reach until late in the fourth quarter, when Denver cut a double-digit deficit down to six with three minutes left, but were unable to get over the hump once head coach David Blatt put the starters back in the game. Outside of that stretch in the fourth, this game was all Cleveland.

Denver struggled from the tip, giving up 38 points to the Cavs in the first, and looked bad for the first three quarters. This came, however, without their best player, point guard Ty Lawson, who was out with an ankle injury. 

The Matchup to Watch

Tristan Thompson vs Kenneth Faried

I don't know how much of this pairing we will see throughout the game, but this is one to keep an eye on. Both of these players have very similar games and are always fun to watch battle on the boards. Any time a shot goes up with these guys on the court, there is most likely a 70 percent chance that one of these guys will grab the miss. 

The Playlist

Not much music comes out of Colorado, at least now much that defines the Colorado culture, according to this page. We were blessed with the musical talents of OutKast in our Atlanta playlist, but we are at an unfortunate decision with Denver. Luckily, the combination of Colorado being one of the few states that legalize marijuana and my obsession of Kanye West over the last few weeks has brought us to one song, and one song only:

Why Cleveland will win

If you watched the last game between these teams, it's a hard to find a reason that the Cavs will lose this game. Denver are a poor defensive team, while the Cavs offense has looked like Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl. Basically, if the Big 3 play their normal games, the Cavs should roll to their fifth consecutive victory.

Why Denver will win

The Cavs defense is improving, but they are still far away from being where Blatt wants them to be. As of now, they rank 26th in defensive rating, and all it takes for Denver is to hit plenty of shots, both open and contested (i.e., Boston last week). Lawson could (and probably should) cause problems for Kyrie Irving, who tends to struggle against quicker guards. If Denver shoots in the 54-57 percent range from the field, it will be hard for the Cavs to rely on their offense again in order to win a game.

The Prediction

Cavs 122, Nuggets 103

Unless LeBron, Kyrie and Kevin Love STRUGGLE in this game, it is gonna be extremely hard for the Cavs to lose this one. With the Cavs offense getting better and better each game and Denver's defense being one of the worst in the league, the current four-game winning streak should continue after this game is all said and done.

Cavs end road trip with a win over Denver

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

With panic flying around the NBA about the Cleveland Cavaliers and their 1-3 start, they erased some doubt with their most defining win of this young season, defeating the Denver Nuggets 110-101.

The score seemed closer than what it was, but the Cavs dominated both ends of the court tonight. At one point in the game, the Cavaliers had a demanding 20-point lead, with the offense looking head and shoulders better than it has all season. Ball movement, which was essentially non-existent all season, was as solid as it could get. After having six assists against the Jazz, they had 21 assists on 30 field goals. Also, seven guys were in double figures, by far the most this season.

LeBron James, shooting 41 percent from the field on the season, had an all-around performance tonight, which included a near triple-double. James had 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, but it was his leadership that seemed to have the biggest impact. Whether it was directing guys on offense or coaching from the sideline to guys on defense, he led people know that he was doing everything in his power to return this franchise to the one they had before LeBron left.

Defensively, the Cavs looked a lot better (albeit against a Nuggets team that is 22nd in offensive rating) than they have compared to the first four games. After allowing opponents to shoot 49.5 percent from the floor, the Cavs held the Nuggets to 43 percent shooting tonight. The effort, most importantly, seemed to be at a higher pace than it was against the Jazz and Trail Blazers. If the Cavs can continue to get just enough stops on defensive, this will be a good sign for future.

With the win tonight, the Cavs end their road trip going 2-2. Lucky for the Cavs, nine of the next 11 games are at home, which will help get the Cavs back on track.

Three Things
1. This is a better example of what the Cavs will look.
Fans around the NBA have waited for the Cavs to play up to their potential, and tonight was the first sign in that direction. This team tonight looked head and shoulder different than the team that played in the first four games. The ball movement was splendid, the defense made stops when it needed to and they blew out a team they were supposed to beat. There was a Spurs-esque style of offense tonight, with the team totaling (( assists on (( field goals, including a number of extra passes that would make Gregg Popovich crack a smile. This is the game the Cavs needed to get their season going and I expect this only to be the beginning of a hot streak.

2. LeBron leadership is having an effect.
LeBron's attitude and effort has been shoddy for most of this young season, and his play has been equally as unimpressive. Tonight, however, LeBron looked like a guy who was disappointed in what he has seen this year and wanted to make a change. His numbers were so-so, but his leadership showed throughout the entire game. He was constantly pointing at guys to get in the right place and communicated with his teammates nonstop. This team needs LeBron to be more than just the best player in the world. He needs to help these learn how to win and play like a team. Tonight, he did exactly that, and the team effort and final score showed.

3. Hey there, Dion Waiters.
You saw the good Dion Waiters, aaaaaaand you saw the bad Dion Waiters. The good thing about tonight, the good heavily out-weighed the bad and his big plays down the stretch helped eliminate a Nuggets comeback that was putting some threats into Cavs fans. Waiters has STRUGGLED the first four games, including being played in favor of Matthew Dellavedova. If the Cavs want to go far, they need Waiters to have games like he did tonight. He seems to be adjusting better to his role, and this is extremely positive for the Cavs.

Statline of the night: LeBron James. 22 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds. 8-18 from the field.

Who better to look to when your team needs a spark? After having only six assists as a TEAM last night, LeBron nearly doubled that himself tonight with his 11 assists. This might be the game that gets LeBron going, which will be scary for the NBA.

What's next: Nov. 10, home against the New Orleans Pelicans. 7 p.m.