Denver Nuggets move past Cleveland Cavaliers 111-103 with a balanced attack

“We’re going to try and shock the world and become the first team to win a championship without an All-Star,” said Nuggets coach George Karl.

The Denver Nuggets are on a roll. They have just won their ninth straight game, downing the Cavaliers 111-103 and are in the fourth spot in the Western Conference with a 33-18 record. During this win streak they are averaging 114.6 points per game.

Against a Cleveland squad, which was playing in a second game of a back-to-back, they got some great all-round production as all but two of the Nuggets who played ended up scoring in double figures. This Nuggets squad is among the top five in the league when it comes to depth. They have a battalion of players who can step it up and torch you in a variety of ways any given night.

Coach Karl was a little despondent that no one from his team made it to the all star game. “There are only about 10 true superstars in the NBA, I think, but I believe Andre Iguodala, Ty Lawson, Andre Miller, and Kenneth Faried are in the next 40 players” Karl said.

The Nuggets were led by Danilo Gallinari who finished with 19 points on 6 for 13 shootnig with 9 rebounds. The ‘Manimal’ Kenneth Faried added 17 points on 7 for 12 shooting with 7 rebounds. Andre Igoudala added 14 on 6 for 9 shooting with 4 rebounds and 7 assists. JaVale McGee scored 13 off the bench, going 6 for 7 with 4 rebounds in 17:55 minutes of action. Andre Miller (3-8), Corey Brewer (2-6) and Kosta Koufos (5-8) all had 10 points a piece.

“When we play defense, there is nobody who can stop us. We know that when our aggressiveness on defense goes up, we win games,” said Gallinari. As a team, the Nuggets out-rebounded the Cavaliers 46-38 and outshot them by going 40-80 for 50% shooting, the Cavs shot 37-84 for 44% shooting.

“Both of our groups — the starters and the bench — were lacking a bit of energy tonight. We were a step behind and they just outplayed us. Going forward, we just have to learn from this game,” said Kyrie Irving.

Mr. Fourth Quarter could overcome the onslaught of the Nuggets. Kyrie Irving had 26 points on 10-24 shooting with his 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The Cavaliers are missing Anderson Varejao who is out with an injury. Alonzo Gee stepped up with 20 points on a perfect 8 for 8 shooting with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Tristan Thompson had 11 on 4 for 10 shooting with 4 rebounds. Shaun Livingston came off the bench for 11 points with 5-8 shooting. Wayne Ellington added 13 on 4 for 6 shooting with 5 rebounds.

“It helped that Cleveland played last night because our energy was at a higher level,” Karl said. The Nuggets played with more abandon as they had 34 free throw attempts to the 26 of the Cavaliers, converting 25 to their 20.

“It was a very important win for us. A lot of people say we go in a slump once we get on the road, we’re not going to have that energy, that motivation to run, that focus we have at home but tonight we proved that wrong. But we have another one tomorrow we have to worry about against a great Boston team that’s playing wonderful.”- said Kenneth Faried. He will be representing the Nuggets in the Dunk Contest, even if no Nugget made it to the All-Star team.

With this loss the Cavaliers dropped to 16-35, 12th spot in the Eastern Conference. The Nuggets will look at extend their win streak as they take on the Boston Celtics tomorrow.